Supporting Youth to Consider the Communal Utility Value of Mathematics: Opportunities and Challenges

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Studies of Mathematics Teaching and Learning (Table 5)

Abstract

Youth in the United States frequently question the usefulness of mathematics, and teachers strive to find ways to illustrate its uses. Common narratives focus on money-related activities or careers and emphasize usefulness for the economy and global competition. However, adolescents possess prosocial values, and many communities that have been historically underserved in mathematics value interdependence. This research seeks to broaden perceptions of the utility of mathematics by developing activities for middle school youth that illustrate the communal value of mathematics. Activities were implemented in after-school programs, and interviews were conducted to gather youth’s experiences working with the activities. Findings offer insights into challenges and opportunities of these activities for supporting youth’s perceived communal utility value of mathematics.

Authors

• Tracy Dobie, University of Utah

• Bailey N. Ondricek, University of Utah