Breaking Down Barriers and Encouraging Inclusion

In this article, Lavela highlights how mathematics plays a role in different aspects of everyday life. He outlines the inclusivity of mathematics and some of the barriers to this inclusivity.

Illustration by Elham Ghaedi

This article is not an academic publication; rather, it represents the personal perspective of the author, a second-year university student, at the time of writing.

The common misconception is that mathematics is purely for the most intelligent among us. This notion needs to change. Mathematics should be and is for all. It is essential in the day-to-day lives of everyone. In this article, we will explore the importance of mathematical inclusion and why the walls of the garden of mathematics need to be broken down.

The Importance of Mathematics to Everyone

Mathematics in everyday life

Although not always immediately apparent, it is true that mathematics is paramount for everybody. The average person may have concerns like financial planning and budgeting that they may not consider when addressing the topic of where they apply mathematics in their daily lives. Moreover, these calculations can become so complex that they qualify an entire field of study into them.

One may consider even a task as mundane as cooking a mathematical exercise. From the basic task of measuring the ingredients to be used in a meal to the more complex act of estimating the time necessary to cook the food given the temperature, you set the stove to.  This is a mathematical exercise, although it may not easily be recognisable.

Mathematics and Careers

It is then quite apparent that mathematics is paramount in many fields of study and workplaces. In some, it is the foundation upon which the study is built. This is more apparent in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. In nearly all scientific studies and discoveries, mathematics lies at the core.

 For instance, when considering the behaviour of a microorganism in a biological study, you will find that the population growth rate is not only a number that can be calculated mathematically, but the very same formula is closely related to calculating the rate of any exponential graph in mathematics. Where there are discoveries made in the field of physics, the laws are based on a mathematical equation and proof. Until then, these laws are rarely even considered in the scientific community.

In the field of technology, mathematical theorems are the basis of modern computing. They are essential at all levels of computer science, including hardware and firmware.  It takes extreme precision that can only be reached by applying existing mathematical theorems to make the hardware and use various forms of logic and systems based on mathematics, like binary code. Even at high-level computing, the average programming language often has a  prebuilt library containing multitudes of mathematical functions and methods.

Where there is any economic study, it is all founded on mathematical principles, from the formulas used to decide the exchange rate of one currency to the other to the algorithms used in blockchain to create public and private keys. We use mathematics in businesses to calculate the profit per item to the total tax to be paid to the local revenue collection service of the country. Businesses even go as far as to use statistics (a largely mathematical study) to optimise marketing and increase sales as such.

Mathematics as a Powerful Tool for Problem-Solving

We encounter mathematics whenever we need to analyse data. This is largely seen in fields related to statistics and probability. We use it to make sense of large data sets (possibly collected from a group study or an open survey) and quantify it into a useful graph or even a simple statistic like a statement that men are more likely to be alcoholics than women. All this is not immediately apparent from the data that one would collect, but when subjected to mathematical formulae like conditional probability formulae, one can deduce this information. Such an analysis is impossible to get without the use of some level of mathematics.

Even when wearing a seatbelt, the reasoning (although this may be a thought that occurs in the minds of all people) for it to be made into law is that there is a higher likelihood of surviving an accident wearing one than without. This now-informed decision can only be possible through the rigorous use of mathematical principles to analyse large sets of data collected from various experiments and actual accidents.

Illustration by Liani Malherbe

Barriers to Mathematical Inclusion

Stereotypes and Negative Perceptions About Mathematics

Although there are many facets to mathematics, there are many that can prove quite challenging. This invokes a general sense of fear in the populous of failure. Others may find that being proficient in any study, especially one that can be as challenging as mathematics, is generally frowned upon in their community. This can cause dissuasion from the field and a lack of growth in the person with regard to it. 

In other cases, it can be seen that there is a lack of diversity in the mathematical fields (mostly occupied by Caucasian males). This can dissuade others that are of a different ethnical background or gender profile. Even when an individual can overlook these factors, it is likely that they can grow to dislike the field, seeing it as “boring” when it is just that the greater idea of the field is not shared adequately.

Access and Resources to Mathematics

In addition to all the limitations and factors that prevent inclusion in mathematics, access to high-quality education and opportunities greatly determines how mathematically inclusive and diverse a community will be. “This can be seen with the alarming number of rural students who complete schooling pursuing trades rather than mathematically based fields” (Deslippe, D., & Kibler, A. (2019). The Stigma of Choosing Trade School Over College. The Atlantic.)

Teaching and Learning Opportunities

It must also be noted that the traditional teaching method may not suit all of those it is intended for. This, in turn, may result in fewer people being proficient in mathematics as they pursue to pass rather than obtain the knowledge.  

The traditional teaching method, characterised by its emphasis on Western cultural norms and practices, is inherently biased against cultures that do not align with these norms. This cultural bias creates conflicts when trying to teach mathematics to diverse cultures, hindering the ability of individuals from non-Western backgrounds to fully engage and excel in mathematics education. The teaching methods should be tailored to each community’s unique needs and characteristics, and teachers should receive comprehensive training to effectively address the diverse conflicts that arise due to cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic differences. Their focus should be on fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that prioritises the acquisition of knowledge and skills rather than solely striving for exam success. The curriculum should be structured to help students reach their full mathematical potential without the walls of exclusivity.

Encouraging Inclusion and Breaking Down the Barriers

Changing Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics

In the average community, the importance of mathematics and its relevance can be easily missed. There should be seminars and public lectures to inform the masses about this issue in a way they can relate to and understand. The knowledge of who great mathematicians were should not be a subject matter only for the classroom.  Biographies and movies about great mathematical discoveries must be made and heavily promoted. Competitions and awards should be a common issue amongst citizens to promote a positive attitude towards growing one’s literacy and cognitive ability.

Providing Quality Learning Opportunities to All Learners

Investments into improving current educational systems and implementation of more advanced educational systems in all communities are paramount to curbing the scourge of mathematical illiteracy and overall disinterest in mathematics we see today.

Technologies that promote the use of the skills gained with mathematical literacy should be commonplace. Computers and computer-related subjects should be seen more among learners to promote their interest in enhancing their mathematical abilities.

Adopting Inclusive Teaching and Learning Approaches

Safe and supportive learning environments should be created to enhance engagement with the content of the curriculum. Students and learners should feel at home and comfortable making contributions without having information forced on them without an apparent reason or connection to their world.

A number of already existing and possibly new teaching styles should be adopted by teachers to ensure that learners are not forced to receive knowledge in a way that is not conducive to the growth of their cognitive abilities.

More diverse perspectives should be used when teaching. Learners should feel free to contribute to a class knowing their ideas or thoughts will be adequately entertained and their perspectives heard. This promotes more free thought and pushes students to want to know more about topics to possibly be able to contribute to the study.

We can thus conclude that mathematics is for everyone and is crucial both in everyday life and in careers. We must also consider, however, the barriers that exist and must be addressed. To encourage inclusion and break down these barriers, there will need to be a drastic change in attitude and perception about mathematics, more access and resources for all learners, and the adaptation of inclusive teaching and learning approaches.  By doing so, we can ensure that everyone can develop mathematical abilities and reach their full potential. This will truly allow mathematics to be for everyone.

Lavela Mboniswa

Theoretical Physics (2nd Year), Stellenbosch University

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