In this theoretical article, we argue that the imminent collapse of earth systems that sustain life forms calls for mathematics education as a field to reflect on and re-evaluate its priorities and thus practices. We consider both what ecological collapse means for mathematics education and whether mathematics education might offer meaningful…

For decades, mastery ambitions related to processes like problem-solving, modelling, and reasoning have been incorporated in mathematics curricula around the world. Meanwhile, such ambitions are hindered by syllabusism, a term I use to denote a conviction that results in mastery of a subject being equated with proficiency in a specific subject…

How can school mathematics prepare citizens for a democratic society? Answers to this question are not static; they change as society and its problems change. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with its corresponding disease COVID-19 presents such a problem: what is needed to navigate this complex situation that involves, among other things, mathematics?…

In this theoretical essay, I build on complexity theory and commognition to theorize the ways in which failure to teach/learn mathematics (FTLM) emerges through the dynamic interactions among teacher, learner, and curriculum demands. I focus on two main concepts of complexity theory: emergence in dynamic systems and attractor states (stable,…

This paper adopts a biopower lens to examine emergency declarations that posit race or racism as problems to be addressed through mathematics education. We argue that attending to "slow emergencies" of racism must avoid sustaining mathematics education as a self-evident cause and cure for societal problems. We analyze how declarations of…

Recent scholarship around teaching elementary mathematics supports the learning of early algebra with 5- to 12-year olds. However, in spite of the recognition of the affordances of early algebra, issues about how to introduce it remain open. Within this context, Davydov's work is often cited as a source of impressive demonstration of young…

Though there is an extensive research literature on understanding and assessing individual modeling competencies, less attention has been given to characterizing the social context of the classroom in which modeling occurs. Yet a classroom's culture of modeling--its negotiated system of beliefs and values about the nature of modeling and what…

Although group work is considered beneficial for problem solving, the listening that is needed for jointly solving mathematical problems is under-researched. In this article, the usefulness of two communication frameworks for understanding students' listening is examined, using data from an educational design research study in an upper secondary…

By using Shlomo Vinner's credit system concept, we show that summative assessment is a rather vague and underrepresented notion in mathematics education literature. The emotional drive behind this article is expressed in the following questions: How is it possible to look for concrete exclusionary school practices that qualify some and disqualify…

International comparative studies on mathematics teaching and learning often provide unitary and harmonious images of classroom practices. This paper aims to complement those studies by describing the complex aspects of those practices. Adopting activity theory as a framework, this paper considers classroom teaching and learning of mathematics as…

Reform-based discourses in mathematics education have fabricated different subjectivities for teachers such as the "traditional" and the "new" teacher. Professional development programs are proposed as effective mechanisms to fabricate the "new" teacher. However, this teacher has proved hard to produce. Thus, the…

Inspired by the entering of computer algebra systems (CAS) in the Danish upper secondary school mathematics program, this article addresses, from a theoretical stance, what may happen when traditional procedures are outsourced to CAS. Looking at the commands "solve" and "desolve," it is asked what happens when such CAS…

Mathematicians commonly distinguish two modes of work in the discipline: "Problem solving," and "theory building." Mathematics education offers many opportunities to learn problem solving. This paper explores the possibility, and value, of designing instructional activities that provide supported opportunities for students to…

In the literature, problem-posing abilities are reported to be an important aspect/indicator of creativity in mathematics. The importance of problem-posing activities in mathematics is emphasized in educational documents in many countries, including the USA and China. This study was aimed at exploring high school students' creativity in…

We argue that dialogic theory, inspired by the Russian scholar Mikhail Bakhtin, has a distinct contribution to the analysis of the genesis of understanding in the mathematics classroom. We begin by contrasting dialogic theory to other leading theoretical approaches to understanding conceptual development in mathematics influenced by Jean Piaget…