I think, for me when reflecting on my mathematics education, the idea that not all students learn math the same way. I was a very kinesthetic learner, and if they had just adapted or incorporated some movement in my math classes, then I wouldn’t of live my life to this day, disliking the math curriculum and math facts as a whole. Students need Plan B, C, and D kinds of pedagogy from educators. Without adapting to those other students’ needs/learning styles, you are being oppressive to those students, and it will result in negative or slower development for those students involved.
From the Poirier article, the first way is that Inuit math uses “a base-20 numeral system.” (Poirier, 2007, p.54). The second difference comes with the Inuit calendars. Their calendars are not lunar or solar. They adopted a policy in which the days of the month changed depending on “natural, independently recurring yearly events” (Poirier, 2007, p. 61). This is interesting as I also wonder how this affects children’s birthdays. The final difference is the Inuit’s measuring specific lengths. We are accustomed to using a measuring tape or using inches, cm, meters, millimeters, etc. However, the Inuit “first measuring tools were parts of the body (the finger, the foot, etc.”) (Poirier, 2007, p. 60).
Bear, L. L. (2000). In M. Batiste (Ed.), Reclaiming Indigenous voice and vision (pp. 77-85). UBC Press. Retrieved March 31 LittleBear2000JaggedWorldViewsColliding.pdf – Google Drive
Poirier, L. (2007). Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 7(1), p. 53-67. Retrieved April 1 Poirier(2007) Teaching mathematics and the Inuit community.pdf – Google Drive
Hello Michael, I enjoy how you put the idea of individuality into perspective. Every student has their own way of learning, and I like how you mention that by stating, going without that adaptation, you are limiting them and oppressing them. My only, and major question when considering the idea of adaptation, is how we are supposed to adapt collectively for every student. I believe that some line needs to be drawn there eventually as there is a lot of a gray area in that subject. I also like how you added your own personal experience to the response. Thank you for the response.