Mathematics and Culture, Public lecture by Professor Chris Matthews

Professor Chris Matthews, Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance (ATSIMA) and University of Technology, Sydney, introduces the Goompi model and how it can be used to create different pedagogical approaches to the teaching and learning of mathematic. He shows examples from the classroom from this approach that 1) allowed students to create their cultural expressions of certain mathematical concepts and 2) allowed Indigenous educators and students to explore the connection between their culture and mathematical concepts. From these examples, Professor Matthews demonstrates how this approach creates a deeper understanding of mathematics and connects the students to the teaching and learning of mathematics.