Sunday, September 18, 2016

Strength Inwards Numbers

I've lastly rejoined the Mathematical Association! It's near time. I've non been a fellow member since I was a trainee teacher. Over Easter I read a fascinating chapter on the history of maths education as well as was struck past times this paragraph...
"The emphasis on Euclid, as well as a growing feeling that it was outdated as well as inappropriate, led inward 1871 to the creation of the Association for the Improvement of Geometrical Teaching (AIGT), in all likelihood the world’s start discipline teachers association. As its advert suggests, the AIGT argued for a replacement for Euclid, an aim already dismissed past times a commission of the British Association prepare inward 1869 (including Cayley, Clifford as well as Sylvester) which thought nada as well as thus far produced ‘is jibe to succeed Euclid’. The AIGT produced its ain course, exactly it was non to examine a success or live widely welcomed past times universities. Undeterred, the AIGT broadened its interests to other branches of mathematics teaching as well as inward 1894 published the start issue of its Mathematics Gazette, earlier changing its advert to ‘The Mathematical Association’ (MA) inward 1897."
The oldest discipline teachers association inward the world! After reading this I wondered why on world I wasn't a fellow member of the MA. As a maths teacher, how tin post away I non back upwards an scheme that has played such a commutation role inward the history of mathematics education? Particularly given the terrible recruitment as well as retentiveness crisis we're currently facing, maths teachers quest to stand upwards together.

Importantly for me, the MA doesn't force a progressive agenda. Its representatives don't say teachers that they're doing it all incorrect - they are never patronising or dismissive. They are supportive, encouraging as well as knowledgeable. The MA's Twitter feed is excellent - too every bit keeping maths teachers good informed, it listens carefully as well as joins inward our conversations. The MA is good positioned to introduce sensible, timely as well as illustration views near mathematics instruction inward consultations as well as inward the media.

There are numerous benefits to joining the MA. Publications as well as branch events are the commutation mechanisms through which it has an touching on inward the classroom. Shortly afterwards joining I received a packet total of exciting materials - I peculiarly similar the fantastic resources featured inward the Mathematics inward Schools journals. And what skillful timing to have a laid of puzzles to acquire stuck into over the holidays!
The primary make goodness of joining the MA comes from beingness role of a network. I'd similar to run across to a greater extent than as well as to a greater extent than teachers joining the MA over the twelvemonth ahead, as well as thus that it grows to boot the bucket fifty-fifty to a greater extent than illustration as well as influential. I'd real much similar to run across the MA's publications choose a far-reaching touching on on teaching as well as learning. Please bring together - as well as contribute your ideas - to brand this happen!

Another agency you lot tin post away brand a deviation is to sign upwards to introduce at BCME 9. This is going to live huge! Instead of the commons split upwards ATM as well as MA conferences side past times side Easter, BCME (British Congress of Mathematics Education) is taking house inward Apr 2018, bringing all the members of the JMC together for a articulation conference. I'd similar to run across every bit many maths teachers every bit possible standing upwards as well as sharing their ideas as well as experiences. If you'd similar to speak, submit a proposal past times the terminate of July.
I strongly encourage all maths teachers to regard joining the MA this summer. It's logical isn't it? Strength inward numbers. Together, let's brand the MA the biggest as well as the best discipline association inward the world.