(Re)imagining spatialities for equity in mathematics education

Swanson, D. M.; le Roux, Kate

Abstract

Contemporary discourse about the ‘opening’/‘closing’ of schools and what is ‘inside’/‘outside’ the curriculum potentially exacerbates existing inequities in mathematics education. This paper explores how different spatial imaginaries might advance or hinder efforts to deeply and systematically pursue equity. We use critical postcolonial thought for our (re)imaginings in the South African context. We argue that viewing the school, the mathematics curriculum, and language as nouned, bounded, spatial objects highlights what needs attention and for whom, but also points to the indelible, structural nature of exclusion. We propose a notion of spatiality as experienced encountering. This recognises all people and their practices as strategic agents, and emphasises relations between people, but also between the mind, body and Earth.

Citation

Swanson, D. M., & le Roux, K. (2021). (Re)imagining spatialities for equity in mathematics education. In D. Kollosche (Ed.), Exploring new ways to connect: Proceedings of the Eleventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference (603-612)

• Conference Name: Eleventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference
• Conference Location: Austria
• Start Date: Sep 24, 2021
• End Date: Sep 29, 2021
• Acceptance Date: Dec 13, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 31, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 5, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 19, 2023
• Publisher: Mathematics Education and Society
• Volume: 2
• Pages: 603-612
• Book Title: Exploring new ways to connect: Proceedings of the Eleventh International Mathematics Education and Society Conference
• ISBN: 9783347399112
• Keywords: Mathematics Education
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/14590084
• Publisher URL: https://www.mescommunity.info/proceedings/MES11.pdf