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Social reflection in mathematics classes: Cooperation or denial

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Abstract

It is possible to reflect reasonably with pupils on social behaviour by means of mathematics? Which importance can this subject have for those who learn as well as for society? Within an educational project, and with the help of games like the Prisoners' Dilemma and texts, situations were discussed in which cooperation of all parties involved would show an optimal result but which also have a great appeal to denial for each party involved. Mathematics can help to distance oneself from consternation and also creates the possibility of abstraction and helps to precise possibilities of reflection. After the end of this project the first question can be answered with “yes”.

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Picher, F. Social reflection in mathematics classes: Cooperation or denial. Zentralblatt für Didaktik der Mathematik 38, 333–340 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02652793

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