Leroy Little Bear (2000) states that colonialism "tries to maintain a singular social order by means of force and law, suppressing the diversity of human worldviews. ... Typically, this proposition creates oppression and discrimination" (p. 77). While I understood the Eurocentric values dominated societal values, I didn't realize this meant within the numerical language as well. Throughout my schooling experience (from primary to university), I have always enjoyed math! It has always been and continues to be my favourite subject to learn about. In high school I comfortably understood the subject areas, could successfully complete my homework and do well on the methods of assessment (assignments, tests, etc.). Though, it was a common theme between my math teachers that there was only one way to solve math problems. Anyone else get points taken off of a test or an assignment with the comment "right answer, but the work you did to get there was wrong." While many struggled with this type of teaching method, I found that the one answer and one way to get there type of teachings calmed my anxieties that open-ended tasks would often bring. While trying to see the oppressive behaviours that a math class could bring, I realized I could only see math in a Settler Canadian view. I didn't realize that this was the problem. Regardless of if the stress is on there being only one way to get to the answer or simply 'the best' way to get to an answer, this is becoming a part of a societies common knowledge. There are MANY differences between cultures, ways of knowing, and the way we all understand the 'universal language' of math. Further, there are many differences between the Eurocentric mathematic lessons I experienced and the Inuit experience explained by Louise Poirier (2007). 1. The Inuit understanding of numeracy and measurements is very different than what I had been taught. For example, I grew up using a base-10 numeral system. The Inuit community described by Poirier used a base-20. While my understanding of months is concrete, the Inuit understanding changes based on the activities in their environment. 2. Spatial relations are developed differently in students in the Inuit community, but those skills are not valued in our European-based curriculum. 3. While I grew up taking notes by hand, using the textbooks for examples and assignments, and (bi-)weekly tests, the Inuit cultures teaching method is based on the observations and stories of an elder. Lastly, Inuit educators will not call on students who do not seem prepared or wanting to answer a questions. Anyone else grow up avoiding eye contact and hoping to not get called on, but the educator in the room doesn't like silence so picks the one who smells of fear the most? ahhh memories..
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About the Author: Jordyn NeufeldJordyn is an Education student at the University of Regina. She enjoys camping in the summer and trying to stay warm in the winter. Coffee is her favourite drink and a necessity most mornings. She loves cuddling her cats and being surrounded by her family. Please take a look into my educational journey within ECS 210. Archives
April 2020
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