Mastering Life Skills through Mathematics

Editors note - coming soon

topic 1 - mathematics trauma

topic 2 - Why do math?

Reversing the curse of math trauma

In this column, Biance and Fameno detail their experiences of transitioning from high school to university, and undergraduate to postgraduate, and share practical strategies to overcoming math trauma and working through failure as a mathematics student. Read more

Lessons that came with mathematics

Explore the transformative power of mathematics beyond numbers and equations in Jade Daniels’ thought-provoking column. Discover how mathematics has shaped her problem-solving abilities, reasoning skills, and even her capacity for communication and connection, offering valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. Read more

topic 2 - understanding what we don't understand

Laying the foundation of the concept

Sophie Marques and Tristan Bernard have brought the idea of applying the art of war by Sun Tzu in understanding the concepts of mathematics. Beyond that, they have categorically elaborated how the water philosophy and Observation approaches could be fundamental in learning and understanding deeply the concepts of Mathematics. Read more

Unraveling the Paradox: Navigating the Boundaries of Understanding

In this article, Tristan Barnard, Sophie Marques and Rivan Rughubar delve into the paradox of recognizing the unknown. They explore how understanding the limits of our knowledge is crucial for intellectual growth. Employing techniques from mathematics, the authors illustrate how to identify and address gaps in comprehension. By doing so, they show how we can bridge the divide between the known and unknown, enhancing our understanding and taking actionable steps toward continuous learning and discovery. Read more

Embracing the Unknown: Challenging Assumptions, Unveiling Truths, and Navigating the Realm of AI

Tristan Barnard and Sophie Marques explore the paradox of embracing the unknown, emphasizing the importance of questioning assumptions and leveraging AI as a tool to augment human capabilities. By challenging long-held beliefs, they illustrate how uncovering hidden truths can drive transformative discoveries. Read more

topic 3 - Art of being alone

Understanding yourself and the enemy in the context of Mathematics

In this philosophical expose Tristan Barnard and Sophie Marques combine forces to bring you a Socratic study on why being a Mathematician prepares you for a rich and rewarding inner life. Read more

The Triumph of Perseverance

From fear to appreciation: Deogratius Albert Bwimbo writes about his mathematical journey and his love-hate relationship with the subject. Read more

Addressing Challenges in South African Mathematics Education

Prof. Jonathan Jansens identifies key challenges in South African mathematics education, including teaching without meaning, fear of failure, curriculum constraints, teacher content knowledge, pedagogical shortcomings, poor numeracy foundations, and lack of educator enthusiasm. He urges mathematicians to engage in early-grade teaching to enhance mathematical competence and address these issues. Read more

topic 4 - Inspiring stories

My journey to becoming a mathematics teacher

Discover the inspiring journey of Duygu Reçani, a passionate math teacher breaking barriers and fostering a love for mathematics among her students. Read more

Girls’ Challenges To Education

Dr R Poornima describes the educational rough journey towards the position she is right now. She reminds that, endurance, persistence, determination and consistency are the sole weapons towards educational achievements she has today. Read more

Editor's Note

WISAARKHU aims to provide a diversity, not necessarily a jointly exhaustive collection, of perspectives on a chosen theme related to the learning and teaching of Mathematics. It is a magazine for inspiring, for creating awareness, for sharing experiences, for communicating, for connecting, and for reflecting.

It is not a research journal. It does not purport to endorse any particular opinion or approach to the learning and teaching of mathematics. Its readership is intended for all from across the globe with an interest in mathematics.

Each perspective expressed in the content of WISAARKHU is that of the author. It does not purport to reflect the opinions of the editor or Stellenbosch University or the affiliations of the authors.

Each theme aligned with one of the quarterly Psychology of Abstract Mathematics discussions. The choice of each discussion theme is inspired by a challenge encountered in the learning and teaching of mathematics;

In this way the theme ‘Competition or Collaboration in Mathematics’ evolved for the first volume of WISAARKHU. There are four topics each speaking to a sub-theme of the overall theme that evolved from the contributions, namely, perspectives within and beyond mathematics, voices of students, impact on the self, influence on learning and teaching of mathematics. Throughout the magazine you will meet students, mathematicians, teachers, psychologists, educationalists, and others interested in mathematics.

No matter your interest in or experience of Mathematics, I hope you will read this magazine acknowledging the intention with which it has been written.