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Jonathan M. Borwein Commemorative Conference

JBCC 2017: From Analysis to Visualization pp 103–131Cite as

On the Educational Legacies of Jonathan M. Borwein

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Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics ((PROMS,volume 313))

Abstract

This chapter describes possible legacies in mathematical culture and education of the work and influence of Jonathan M. Borwein. Three lenses are applied: views expressed by members of the community in a panel session on “Maths, Education, Research and Culture” at the Jonathan M Borwein Commemorative Conference, September 2017; scholarship of schisms, divisions and disciplinarity; and Jonathan’s own words describing his practice of experimental mathematics and a philosophy of mathematical humanism. His work has evident potential for lasting transformational effect for the good of mathematics education, which emerges from each of our three different lenses. This potential is complex and rich. Jonathan’s defining impact on experimental mathematics as a research approach is entwined with his view of experimental mathematics as a teaching methodology, and provides the ground for one such legacy. In both research and educational uses of experimental “mathodology”, Jonathan’s aim was the creation of insight and intuition, and in this context his work and writing draws our attention to the significance of tools in enabling and extending human capacity. Another facet of legacy is the spanning of math/education schisms that is exemplified by Jonathan as an interdisciplinary practitioner whose work was influenced by his early love of history and his profound appreciation of music, art and philosophy. Jonathan’s writing extended beyond mathematics into various areas including educational scholarship and the philosophy of mathematics. His role as a public intellectual fostered another potential legacy: modelling a newly vigorous stewardship of mathematics by the collective custodians of the discipline.

Dedicated to the memory of Jonathan M. Borwein

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Australian “Higher School Certificate” exam.

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Acknowledgements

We thank CARMA and our co-organisers in the Jonathan Borwein Commemorative Conference (JBCC). Thanks to the many JBCC participants who gave their permission to be anonymously quoted. And thank you to Jon for a lifetime of boundary-breaking research and pedagogical exploration.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Naomi Simone Borwein

  2. School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia

    Judy-anne Heather Osborn

Authors
  1. Naomi Simone Borwein
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  2. Judy-anne Heather Osborn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Judy-anne Heather Osborn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA

    David H. Bailey

  2. Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Naomi Simone Borwein

  3. Mathematical Sciences Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Richard P. Brent

  4. School of IT and Mathematical Sciences, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia

    Regina S. Burachik

  5. School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Judy-anne Heather Osborn

  6. School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Brailey Sims

  7. Department of Mathematics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Qiji J. Zhu

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Borwein, N.S., Osborn, Ja.H. (2020). On the Educational Legacies of Jonathan M. Borwein. In: Bailey, D., et al. From Analysis to Visualization. JBCC 2017. Springer Proceedings in Mathematics & Statistics, vol 313. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36568-4_7

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