Theoretical foundations to answer the primary questions: What’s mathematics? Why teach mathematics? How to teach and how people learn it?

Abstract

This paper offers theoretical basis to primary questions posed at the beginning of any mathematics teacher’s activity. What is mathematics? Why teach mathematics? How do we learn and how to teach mathematics? The aim is to contribute to mathematics practical researcher education. The study is concentrated on Social Construtivism theoretical model, as defined by Paul Ernest, English mathematics educator. The focus are “falibilism” and “conversation” to conceive Mathematics. Teach to favor “empowerment”, Vygotsky ideas as learning theory and Critical Mathematic Education as teaching ways.