Mathematics in the Workplace: Issues and Challenges

C. Hoyles, R. Noss, P. Kent, A. Bakker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In political and educational debate, there is contrary opinion about the mathematical needs of employees. Several influential studies report that, apart from recognizing the need for a small layer of ‘symbolic analysts’ (Reich 1992), employers do not prioritize mathematical skills (e.g., Department of Labor 1991). In the contrary direction, there are studies in economics and educational policy, which assert that a mathematically literate population is crucial for the economic future of developed countries (Steen 2001; Wolf 2002; Confederation of British Industry 2008). How can this apparent contradiction be understood? We suggest that the contradiction arises from a confusion about what constitutes mathematics and consequently, how mathematical skills are identified (FitzSimons 2002).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEducational interfaces between mathematics and industry : report on an ICMI-ICIAM-study
EditorsA. Damlamian, J.F. Rodrigues, R. Strässer
Place of PublicationWien
PublisherSpringer
Pages43-50
Number of pages466
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-02269-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Publication series

NameNew ICMI study series
Number16

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