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Educational Interfaces between Mathematics and Industry pp 43–50Cite as

Mathematics in the Workplace: Issues and Challenges

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Part of the book series: New ICMI Study Series ((NISS,volume 16))

Abstract

This chapter argues that there are contrary views regarding the mathematical needs of employees in workplaces, and this results in confusion around debate on the issue. The problem has been exacerbated by the ubiquity of information technologies and the widespread automation of routine procedures, which have resulted in little if any trace of the mathematical processes going on. Following a short survey of research in the field, we summarize recent research that has identified a particular difficulty in terms of widespread pseudo-mathematical interpretation of symbolic output in workplaces. Such interpretations are shown to impede communication, but can be challenged by developing relevant techno-mathematical literacies among employees. Effective strategies for developing techno-mathematical literacies relevant to specific work sectors are described.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Education, University of London, London, UK

    Celia Hoyles & Richard Noss

  2. Former Researcher at London Knowledge Lab, 60 Bramber Road, F46, London, N12 9NE, UK

    Phillip Kent

  3. Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Arthur Bakker

Authors
  1. Celia Hoyles
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  2. Richard Noss
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  3. Phillip Kent
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  4. Arthur Bakker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Celia Hoyles .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marn, Créteil Cedex, Val-de-Marne, France

    Alain Damlamian

  2. Universidade de Lisboa/CMAF-FCUL, Lisboa, Portugal

    José Francisco Rodrigues

  3. Inst. Didaktik der Mathematik, Universität Gießen FB 12 Mathematik, Gießen, Germany

    Rudolf Sträßer

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Hoyles, C., Noss, R., Kent, P., Bakker, A. (2013). Mathematics in the Workplace: Issues and Challenges. In: Damlamian, A., Rodrigues, J., Sträßer, R. (eds) Educational Interfaces between Mathematics and Industry. New ICMI Study Series, vol 16. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02270-3_4

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