Critical Thinking and Numeracy
From LiteracyTentWiki
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2276] A topic not mentioned in the critical thinking discussion
From: Rose M Brandt rmbrandt at juno.com
Date: Sun Jul 13 17:33:36 EDT 2008
I just finished reading through the critical thinking discussion. I'd
like to share a thought before it closes on Monday. Unless I read too
quickly and missed it, I don't think there was any discussion of critical
thinking in math. I believe that one reason that our educational system
does not produce people with better math skills is the lack of focus on
critical thinking in math as opposed to simply mastering operations or
learning formulas.
Rose Brandt
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2285] Re: A topic not mentioned in the critical thinking discussion
From: Bonnie Odiorne bonniesophia at sbcglobal.net
Date: Mon Jul 14 11:22:37 EDT 2008
Rose, I'd like to hear more about that, since our Bridge program for at-risk (variously defined) students has a math course, and many come in expressing math anxiety. Could you talk a little more about how critical thinking works in math? and since I'm anumerate(illiterate in math) I may or may not understand what you mean, but will pass it on.
Thanks,
Bonnie Odiorne, Post University
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2307] Re: critical thinking and numeracy
From: Patricia Donovan patricia_donovan at worlded.org
Date: Tue Jul 15 07:30:30 EDT 2008
Hello Jackie and All,
I haven't been in town to read all the entries on critical thinking,
but what I have perused appears to focus on the development of critical
thinking through literacy practices. Some of us who offer professional
development related to numeracy find it a perfect venue for exploring
critical thinking. Graphs, charts, and data analysis in particular,
offer great launches for discussions about 'whose interests are served,'
and ' how else might you interpret this data' or 'how does the choice
of incremental intervals on the y axis affect your view of the data.'
In addition, the topics chosen for problems, which can be selected from
areas of social justice concern, can set the stage for critical thinking
in numeracy.
I'd be interested to hear how others out there in the field use
numeracy instruction and professional development to foster critical
thinking.
Tricia Donovan
SABES "Training Leaders in Adult Basic Education"
Tricia Donovan, Ed.D.
SABES CRC
World Education
44 Farnsworth St.
Boston, MA 02210
617-482-9485 x3785
Fax 617-482-0617
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2321] Re: critical thinking and numeracy
From: Taylor, Jackie jataylor at utk.edu
Date: Wed Jul 16 14:01:31 EDT 2008
Hi Tricia, All,
Tricia, thanks for sharing this. In tandem with the other threads under
discussion, I'm wondering if you might give us some examples of ways in
which topics of a social justice concern can intersect with numeracy.
And if you have specific resources or lesson activity examples to share,
that would be great, too.
I'm also wondering about science and history. In what ways might
numeracy interact with these areas to promote critical thinking -- and
how might that be approached in ways that build on students' real
interests and concerns? I'm thinking specifically of ABE learners though
I welcome suggestions for ESL too. Does anyone have thoughts on that?
Thanks, Jackie
Jackie Taylor
jataylor at utk.edu
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2325] Re: critical thinking and numeracy
From: Susan Kidd SKidd at sbctc.edu
Date: Wed Jul 16 15:31:54 EDT 2008
Here are a few useful resources for those interested in linking math and
social justice:
- 1) Rethinking Mathematics: Teaching Social Justice by the Numbers edited by Eric Gutstein ISBN: 0942961544, published 2006
- 2) Open Secrets
- Lists campaign income and expenditures for national candidates
- http://www.opensecrets.org/?gclid=CMPJoe_Ag5MCFQkXiQodsThswg
- 3) Follow the money
- Interactive map that lets you track political donations by topic and party over time
- http://www.followthemoney.org/
- 4) Radical Math website - "a resource for educators interested in integrating issues of social and economic justice into math classes and curriculum." http://www.radicalmath.org/
Susan Kidd
ABE Professional Development Coordinator
State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
office phone: 509-682-6968
cell phone: 509-630-4520
skidd at sbctc.edu
