All positive action starts with criticism : Hans Freudenthal and the didactics of mathematics

This study provides a historical analysis of Freudenthal’s didactic ideas and his didactic career. It is partly biographical, but also contributes to the historiography of mathematics education and addresses closely related questions such as: what is mathematics and where does it start? Which role does mathematics play in society and what influence does it have on the prevailing views concerning its accompanying didactics?. Hans Freudenthal (1905–1990), professor in mathematics, scientist, literator, but above all mathematics-educator, was inextricably linked to the changes which took place in mathematics education and didactics during the second half of the last century. His diversity as a scientist and his inexhaustible efforts to establish the didactics of mathematics as a seriously pursued science, made Freudenthal's influence in this area considerable. He foresaw an essential, practical role for mathematics in everyone’s life, encouraging students to discover and create mathematics themselves, instead of imposing a ready-made mathematical system. The theory of mathematics education thus developed in the Netherlands would gain world fame in the following decades. Today, in the light of the discussions about mathematics education, in which the call for `genuine’ mathematics instead of the so-called 'kindergarten'-mathematics can be heard, Freudenthal's approach seems to be passé. However, the outcome of this study (which is mainly based on documents from Freudenthal’s vast personal archive) shows a more refined picture. The direct identification of 'kindergarten'-mathematics with Freudenthal’s view on mathematics education is not justified. 'Realistic mathematics' as advocated by Freudenthal includes more than just a practical introductory and should, among other things, always aim at teaching 'genuine' mathematics in the end. This study provides a historical analysis of Freudenthalĺls didactic ideas and his didactic career. It is partly biographical, but also contributes to the historiography of mathematics education and addresses closely related questions such as: what is mathematics and where does it start? Which role does mathematics play in society and what influence does it have on the prevailing views concerning its accompanying didactics? Hans Freudenthal (1905ĺl1990), professor in mathematics, scientist, literator, but above all mathematics-educator, was inextricably℗l linked to the changes which took place in mathematics education and didactics during the second half of the last century. His diversity as a scientist and his inexhaustible efforts to establish the didactics of mathematics as a seriously pursued science, made Freudenthal's influence in this area considerable. He foresaw an essential, practical role for mathematics in everyoneĺls life, encouraging students to discover and create mathematics themselves, instead of imposing a ready-made mathematical system. The theory of mathematics education thus developed in the Netherlands would gain world fame in the following decades. Today, in the light of the discussions about mathematics education, in which the call for `genuineĺl mathematics instead of the so-called 'kindergarten'-mathematics can be heard, Freudenthal's approach seems to be pass©♭. However, the outcome of this study (which is mainly based on documents from Freudenthalĺls vast personal archive) shows a more refined picture. The direct identification of 'kindergarten'-mathematics with Freudenthalĺls view on mathematics education is not justified. 'Realistic mathematics' as advocated by Freudenthal includes more than just a practical introductory and should, among other things, always aim at teaching 'genuine' mathematics in the end Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction....Pages 1-9 Mathematics Education in Secondary Schools and Didactics of Mathematics in the Period Between the Two World Wars....Pages 11-35 Hans Freudenthal—A Sketch....Pages 37-59 Didactics of Arithmetic....Pages 61-80 A New Start....Pages 81-132 From Critical Outsider to True Authority....Pages 133-177 Freudenthal and the Van Hieles’ Level Theory....Pages 179-204 Method Versus Content....Pages 205-282 Here’s How Freudenthal Saw It....Pages 283-359 Epilogue....Pages 361-366 Back Matter....Pages 367-386