Sponsor

Utrecht University

Objectives

1. Research; 2. Curriculum development; 3. Assessment; 4. Netwrorking; 5. Information Technology; 6. Professionalization; 7. Local experiments.

Mission

• To develop a theoretical approach towards the learning and teaching of mathematics known as 'Realistic Mathematics Education'. RME incorporates views on what mathematics is, how students learn mathematics, and how mathematics should be taught.

• To develop curricula based on Hans Freudenthal's concept of 'mathematics as a human activity', i.e, students should not be considered as passive recipients of ready-made mathematics, but rather that education should guide the students towards using opportunities to reinvent mathematics by doing it themselves.

Partners

N/A. FI runs projects in several countries including the USA

Guiding Principles

 'Realistic Mathematics Education'

Doctoral and Education for Specialists

Ongoing

Improving Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

1: Pre-service Preparation of Elem. and Middle School Teachers

2: Pre-service Preparation of Secondary Mathematics Teachers

Expanding Professional Communities

• Conduct a regular series of colloquia, research meetings, and workshops, national and international.

Project Management Plan

Director: Prof. Jan de Lange

Formative Evaluation Plans

N/A

Timeline of Project Activities

Runs over fifty projects simultaneously. Examples:

• Students' contribution in Realistic Mathematics Education; • Wisweb,

Website for secondary school; • Mathematics for children with special

Needs; • Globetrotters, an experiment on spherical geometry;

• ShowMe, center for middle school reform curricula; • Research on

 Assessment Practices; • Information Technology in secondary

 vocational education

Comments

Founded in 1971 by the German/Dutch writer, pedagogue and mathematician, Professor Hans Freudenthal  (1905-1990).