US mathematician delivers lecture at PU, highlights need for reforms in teaching

Referring to the importance of school reforms, Professor Bass said that the United States is emphasising on mathematical practices as part of the reforms.

“The school mathematics curriculum organises the mathematics subject into different topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, discrete mathematics, and calculus among others.

As a result students, even when successful, find it hard to think outside these topical domains, which results in students lacking a sense of essential coherence and unity of mathematics,” pointed out Professor Bass.

Talking about how American students do not develop mathematical practices like asking natural questions, looking for patterns, making conjectures, seeking proofs, Professor Bass highlighted that mathematical thinking is learned best through problem solving. He also suggested that certain problems should be given to students to  make them think out of the box.