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Commentary on Theories of Mathematics Education

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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Commentary</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> Politicizing <strong>Mathematics</strong> Educati<strong>on</strong> 643<br />

needs <strong>of</strong> society, but the needs <strong>of</strong> those who have more power tend to dominate<br />

what the needs are addressed and what needs are left <strong>of</strong>f the agenda. If we believe<br />

that mathematics learning can be a resource to increase democratic participati<strong>on</strong> in<br />

society, to increase equity and social justice, then mathematics learning cannot be<br />

divorced from learning the politics <strong>of</strong> the world in which we live. Has the study <strong>of</strong><br />

politics in mathematics educati<strong>on</strong> g<strong>on</strong>e far enough? Evidently not. Can it go further?<br />

Yes, through critical mathematics educati<strong>on</strong> that will awaken learners to the<br />

ways in which mathematics is c<strong>on</strong>cealed but active in the dominant discourses that<br />

are influencing the ways we think about the fundamental principles <strong>of</strong> equity and<br />

fairness.<br />

References<br />

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Harvard University Press.<br />

Mackenzie, D., & Wajcman, J. (Eds.) (1999). The Social Shaping <strong>of</strong> Technology (2nd ed.). Buckingham:<br />

Open University Press.<br />

Skovsmose, O., & Yasukawa, K. (2004). Formatting power <strong>of</strong> ‘<strong>Mathematics</strong> in a Package’:<br />

A challenge to social theorising? Philosophy <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mathematics</strong> Educati<strong>on</strong> Journal.<br />

http://www.ex.ac.uk/!PErnest/pome18/c<strong>on</strong>tents.htm.<br />

Winner, L. (1986). The Whale and the Reactor: A Search for Limits in an Age <strong>of</strong> High Technology.<br />

Chicago: The University <strong>of</strong> Chicago Press.

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