ROLE OF MATHEMATICS IN REAL LIFE

ROLE OF MATHEMATICS IN REAL LIFE

In real life the MATHEMATICS plays a major role.

Studying Mathematics will improve your personality in every field of life.

ROLE OF Mathematics in Social Development

Without Maths we cant imagine our life. Maths plays a vital role in our daily life. The main influence of Mathematics is indirect. The problem solving nature of the subject, particularly tasks like investigative exercises, can develop this area. The nature of true investigative problems require pupils to reflect on their work, responding to situations where they're stuck and using previous experience on a task. The “using and applying" specifies the pupil must "work on problems that pose a challenge" and the level descriptors give progressive credit through increasing complex solutions. "Teachers can contribute to the personal and social development of pupils by clarifying their thinking".

Group work, certainly helps social skills. The ability to work together on tasks with others can build various social skills. Group work isn't unique to Mathematics, it can be in any subject, the specific element for mathematics is in the strong communication skills.

Classroom organisation can also help ensure the proper integration of sexes and cultures

ROLE OF Mathematics in Philosophical Development

With discussions and observation in school, there is potential to beneficially expand the spiritual element to include a more philosophical dimension. Many great Mathematicians have been philosophers as well, eg Descartes, Pascal and Russell. If space could be made, mathematics can make spiritual development and probably mean they are better prepared for life. Mathematics should be the subject which "teaches you to think" (Howson, 1986) and allows you "to display the sharpness of the mind" (Vives)

ROLE of Mathematics in Moral Development

As a subject mathematics can added to students moral development. However the teacher's role in the classroom needs to be considered.

The government believes there's a moral decline in this country's youth. It can't blame the parents as they are their potential voters, the church for most teenagers isn't a major influence, so they target the next group, the teachers. Intentionally, or otherwise, teachers are role models for children.

The teachers attitude in class gives major examples of moral traits such as fair play, even-handedness, sexual or cultural bias (or hopefully lack of it). All teachers establish rules by which they operate their classroom. Generally these are based on what they consider acceptable(Cohen & Manion,1977) . They are a balance between the teacher's ideal, what the class can deliver and what the teacher will accept.. Pupils don't have to accept teachers standards, teachers are only one of several influences but by ensuring consistency (A key like of pupils (Wragg,1983)) they can exert positive influences. Many teachers are understandably nervous about this situation, especially in a multi-class, multi-cultural society.

ROLE of Mathematics in Spiritual Development

Mathematics main potential here seems to be regarding developing the skills of reflection and possibly, for the more receptive, a sense of the "beauty" of a solution. The aesthetic quality of an elegant solution is something that may be lost on a dedicated "maths hater" "Mathematics rightly viewed possesses not only truth but supreme beauty" (Bertand Russell)

Role of Mathematics in Cultural Development

This is the most written about area and falls into two broad areas .The image all teachers portray in lessons. Teachers must not reinforce stereotypes which can be done directly or indirectly by the subconscious use of names and sexes in texts, eg John always being the boss. The converse of this allows opportunities to portray positive role models if desired. The teacher must ensure their use of language allows access for all group as discussed in the language assignment..
Mathematics from other cultures.

They must also outline that Mathematics doesn't have a solely White European history. eg The recognition that the Babylonians knew of what is know as Pythagorus Theorem or the relationship known as Pascal's triangle also being known by the Chinese 500 years earlier. This can help integrate children from other cultures and aid the positive understanding of other cultures by Anglo-saxon descent children. Patterns from different cultures can be used when doing space and shape work is another classic example of the opportunities available..Where possible the teacher should use examples of female as well as male mathematicians. Downes(1995) relates example where using the example of Hypatia, the female Alexandrian mathematician, evoked a very positive reaction from a class.

BY
ANJALI SHARMA
NOIDA
INDIA