Delta-K
Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 53 Issue 1, January 2016
7 – 9
Why Use History in a Mathematics Classroom?
Glen Van Brummelen
We’ve all experienced the problem. Given the mass of material we are required to cover in our math classes, it seems all but impossible to find avenues for creativity in our lectures. When small time windows open up, we tend to show extra problems, or new applications, or some favorite theoretical wrinkle that we had been saving for such an occasion. Why bring in history? It takes time and effort, and displaces other subjects. What’s the advantage?
