If our goal is to broaden and deepen students' awareness and understanding of mathematics, we advance the idea that engaging students with what we metaphorically call the personality of math. That is, we think that students who engage with the math's (1) human champions, (2) with its history and philosophy, and (3) with the nature of its problems and inferential challenges, are more likely to have a positive attitude toward math that will encourage greater learning.
Paul A. Wagner, Ph.D., is the author of over 130 publications including nine books. He is chair of the Department of Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Houston. Frank Fair, Ph.D., has a number of publications in a variety of academic journals, and has co-authored a number of books, including one on innovation in quality management and one on team creativity in business. Two other recent publications that are especially
Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Chap. 1 Indoctrination and Genuine Math Education Chap. 2 The Personality of Math Chap. 3 The Human Side of Mathematical Personality Chap. 4 Two Takes on Recent History: (1) Pure vs. Applied Mathematicians and (2) Women in Mathematics Chap. 5 Math Problems and the Personality of Math Chap. 6 Educating for Understanding the Personality of Math Chap. 7 Introducing Students to Mathematics References Index About the Authors
Wagner and Fair attempt no less than to revolutionize math teachers' conception of not just how they teach but what they teach: that their students shall remain ambitious dreamers rather than become accountants. -- Gene V Glass, Emeritus Regents' Professor, Arizona State University This book is a welcome antidote to the view that mathematics is a dull chore. Rich with anecdotes and examples from its history and philosophy it illustrates the excitement, color and beauty of mathematics. Anyone can experience this, and the aim is to show how the tedium of school mathematics can be turned into a compelling and awe-inspiring adventure of ideas. -- Paul Ernest, Emeritus Professor, Education, Exeter University Mathematics, a way of thinking, has a personality (traits, patterns, etc.) that provides learning goals for the teacher and learner. This personality, which makes mathematics unique, should be at the forefront of mathematics education. This book will help the reader to learn mathematics as a language, art, science, and tool in the context of its personality. From personal experience as a high school mathematics teacher, I know students learn better from such a holistic approach. -- Ronald Rogers, Former High School Mathematics Teacher This bright book is a plea for uplifting math education by inspiring students to join "The Great Conversation," the community of thinkers who have explored mathematics to find truths. The authors reject complacency and rote learning by instead advocating mindful free inquiry. Their enthusiasm for mathematics is contagious and commendable. -- Alberto Martinez, author of The Cult of Pythagoras: Math and Myths, and other books; Professor of History, University of Texas at Austin, Director of Certificate Program in History and Philosophy of Science, Affiliated Faculty, UTeach, College of Natural Sciences
