The language of mathematical problem posing: a comparison between England, U.S. and Singapore curricula
The language of mathematical problem posing: a comparison between England, U.S. and Singapore curricula
In recent decades, the different manifestations of mathematical problem posing (MPP) have become important objects of research in mathematics education. However, to quote Ruthven (2020), these different manifestations pose the risk that the term “problem posing” might become “so diffuse as to undermine its analytic power and reduce it to an ephemeral sign” (p. 1). This is because the activities of problem posing are formulated in different ways, using different mathematical idioms. This article studies the language of problem posing in three English-speaking countries: England, the USA, and Singapore. I analysed the secondary school curriculum texts in the three countries. What language is used to denote MPP activities? What are the differences in language between England, the USA, and Singapore? The work will give insights into the way MPP plays a role in England, the USA, and Singapore and will conclude with the implications of the findings.
curriculum, international comparison, mathematical problem posing, problem solving
186-200
Bokhove, Christian
7fc17e5b-9a94-48f3-a387-2ccf60d2d5d8
June 2025
Bokhove, Christian
7fc17e5b-9a94-48f3-a387-2ccf60d2d5d8
Bokhove, Christian
(2025)
The language of mathematical problem posing: a comparison between England, U.S. and Singapore curricula.
Asian Journal for Mathematics Education, 4 (2), , [27527263251346212].
(doi:10.1177/27527263251346212).
Abstract
In recent decades, the different manifestations of mathematical problem posing (MPP) have become important objects of research in mathematics education. However, to quote Ruthven (2020), these different manifestations pose the risk that the term “problem posing” might become “so diffuse as to undermine its analytic power and reduce it to an ephemeral sign” (p. 1). This is because the activities of problem posing are formulated in different ways, using different mathematical idioms. This article studies the language of problem posing in three English-speaking countries: England, the USA, and Singapore. I analysed the secondary school curriculum texts in the three countries. What language is used to denote MPP activities? What are the differences in language between England, the USA, and Singapore? The work will give insights into the way MPP plays a role in England, the USA, and Singapore and will conclude with the implications of the findings.
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language_mpp_revision_finalv3
- Accepted Manuscript
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bokhove-2025-the-language-of-mathematical-problem-posing-a-comparison-between-england-u-s-and-singapore-curricula
- Version of Record
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Accepted/In Press date: 5 May 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 4 June 2025
Published date: June 2025
Keywords:
curriculum, international comparison, mathematical problem posing, problem solving
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 501456
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/501456
ISSN: 2752-7263
PURE UUID: 5797de39-4ca0-48d9-b589-d88a614e9368
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Date deposited: 02 Jun 2025 16:43
Last modified: 04 Sep 2025 02:14
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