Mathematical Metaphors, Memories, and Mindsets

United States’ students continue to have difficulties with the subject of mathematics. Sometimes it is believed that students aren’t smart enough to master mathematics or that mathematics is just too difficult for all but the chosen few. This book offers an alternative explanation: Students’ difficulties in mathematics can best be understood and explained social scientifically. That is, Learning Theories, Agents of Socialization, and more generally, cultural and social milieu, are relevant in trying to understand individuals’ ideas about mathematics. The book begins by providing an overview of the current status in mathematics education. Popular cultural portrayals of mathematics and mathematicians are examined. The book, then, delves deeper into how students perceive mathematics and mathematicians by examining how students view mathematicians, how students define mathematics, and what themes emerge from students’ mathematical autobiographies and their metaphors. The book describes a semantic differential, in an effort to ascertain the meanings of math that people hold and shows the different patterns of responses among various groups of people. Finally, the book delves into mathematical mindsets, a current approach to understanding mathematical identities, as well as success and failure in mathematics.

This book digs deep into understanding the root cause of students' difficulties in mathematics. The impact of sociological ideas on students' perception of mathematics and mathematicians is profound and the authors take the reader on quite the journey. This is a powerful read for educators and non-educators alike to grasp how to improve math education.--Matthew L. Beyranevand, EdD, author, Teach Math Like This, Not Like That and Adding Parents to the Equation; creator, "Math with Matthew", Mathematical Metaphors, Memories, and Mindsets is a compelling read that provides critical information about how individuals, including future educators and children, view mathematics. Also included in this book, are examples of how our culture influences the portrayal of mathematicians and mathematics and it is rarely good. At a time when the United States is facing critical issues in STEM, understanding these issues may give us a chance to address them head-on. I highly recommend this book to anyone working in the field of education and others who care about STEM education.--Chery Lucarelli, PhD, Professor and Chair, Graduate Education Programs, College of St. Scholastica, This book takes a thorough look at the past and current culture of mathematics and models of math education. An excellent resource for any math educator who wants to better understand students' and parents' common perceptions of mathematics and mathematicians. This cumulation of research has challenged me to think about the social components of mathematics in my own classroom and how to present mathematics in a way that better confronts the negative stigma that surrounds math.--Scott Klasen, MS, Math & Chemistry Teacher, Lakeview Christian Academy, If you are looking for a thorough review of the recent issues in mathematics and mathematics education in the US then Mathematical Metaphors, Memories, and Mindsets is a great place to start. This book considers everything from popular culture and media portrayals of mathematics and mathematicians to findings of research studies. It is an excellent resource for anyone interested in understanding current issues in mathematics education.--Todd Frauenholtz, PhD, Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, Bemidji State University

Carmen M. Latterell is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she teaches math courses for future teachers. Janelle L. Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology & Criminology at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she teaches courses primarily in social psychology and deviance.