ECS 203 Blog Post #6 Numeracy and Literacy

Part 1(Numeracy): While watching Gale's lecture, we learn that Inuit mathematics and Eurocentric mathematics are learnt in different ways. An example she states is that Inuit mathematics challenges Eurocentric ideas about the purpose of mathematics and the way we learn it, that the Indigenous worldview focuses more on relationships and is connected with spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual. In contrast, the European worldview is linear, static, and singular. In Poirier's article, he states that the Inuits have a different teaching method. Traditional Inuit teaching is by listening to an elder or enigmas, which help as clues to solve problems in math. The teachers do not ask questions that a student cannot answer. They learn orally rather than through the European worldview, which is written form. A third-way Inuit mathematics challenges Eurocentric ways is stated in Bear's article. He says in the Inuit worldview, all ideas are connected in a circle of kinship and connected, whereas in the Eurocentric view, things are learned step-by-step in a rational method. The two articles and lecture stated great ways in how Inuit mathematics is challenging Eurocentric learning, and I believe we should lean towards the Indigenous worldview when teaching our students. 

Part 2 (Literacy): Looking back on when I was in elementary school, "single stories" were presented in my schools because I often learned everything from a Eurocentric worldview. Only in my older years of schooling did I get to know the Indigenous worldview and learn about their perspectives. How we grow up and learn in our classrooms affects how we learn and take things in. Now being in University, I have learned that all truths matter, diversity is important, and it is important to understand all cultures' points of view because it helps us learn and teach more inclusively. I do not want to bring any biases into my classrooms because it is important that students feel included in their classrooms. I will become educated on different cultures, so I can help teach my students diversity and belonging and teach them through different perspectives so they learn the truth. 

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 21, 2023 at 10:19 PM

    Hey Morgan!
    I really enjoyed reading your post. I thought I was insightful in the ways you explored the various ways in which indigenous culture and ways of knowing are able to merge with mathematics to create a relationship of understanding with one another. I agree that if we continue to lean into indigenous culture and continue to learn all the unique ways of knowing indigenous perspective provide that we can continue expanding our worldview. For me university also helped me open my eyes and realize all the biases that we carry from our past and our family influences.

    Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete

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