Establishing the use of 'metre' as a measure unit: An interdisciplinary approach for teaching mathematics
Résumé
The present article focuses on exploring the dynamics of an interdisciplinary approach in teaching mathematics as a process that cultivates creativity in the school curriculum. We specificallydescribe here a research project that aims: first, to encourage students to develop and express their creativity; second, to support them towards envisioning mathematics in relationto other school subjects; and third, to assist them in realizing the social role ofmathematics itself as a subject closely related to citizenship.The project entitled 'Sensitive pendulum or heavy earth' was focused on actively engaging students with the main historical arguments concerning the idea of appropriating a common measure unit for length by the French National Assembly during the French Revolution. In order to motivate students and productively organize their efforts in this pedagogic setting we exploited certain drama techniques such as role-playing and role-playing debate. As a result, a short period (i.e. 6 weeks) interdisciplinary project was organized with two classes of 22 and 23 students who attend the 11th grade of an inner city Lyceum school in Athens, Greece. The students involved in this project got responses regarding the very-often-emerging question: why mathematics is useful. At the same time, students seem to change their perception of mathematics and tomove towards appreciating its multi-disciplinary and creative nature as well as the broader significance of mathematics in society. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. All rights reserved.