Baker, D., Street, B., & Tomlin, A. (2001). Understanding home school relations in numeracy. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics 21(2) July 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2007 from http://www.bsrlm.org.uk/IPs/ip21-2/BSRLM-IP-21-2-9.pdf
This article pursues the theme of mathematics and /numeracy as a social practices and the incommensurate natures of academic and everyday settings and discourses. The paper interrogates “underachievement” in numeracy from perspectives of mathematics as a social practice. Much of the discourse in explaining underachievement in numeracy has focused on institutional considerations and practices (teacher knowledge, pedagogical issues, curriculum, methodologies and so forth). This is much to the exclusion of everyday considerations and practices.
The “boundaries and barriers” (p. 42) between school and home were investigated. The authors propose that the social must not be seen in simplistic terms, but rather in explicit epistemological terms and in configurations of “ideology and discourse, power relations, values, beliefs, social relations and social institutions” (p. 42). In particular, the social relations involved in social practices involve positioning and identities afforded in differential numeracy practices which are inherently social.
The home takes on a contradictory social role – as a place of everyday numeracy practices, but also a place where academic/institutional practices are supposed to be reinforced. The home thus can become a place where knowledges are at least implicitly contested.
The authors sought in their studies to replace “deficit and hierarchical” models of numeracy practice with models in which a “social practices” account highlights multiple practices and knowledge resources (p.47). It is here where the complex interrelations between school and home practices are acknowledged.
I really enjoyed this article. Not surprising with both Baker and Street at work! and unbeatable combination. This is a must read! Wasn't baker Street the home of Sherlock Holmes. And the topic is about numeracy in the home - a place of conflicting expectations!!
ReplyDeleteHi Frank, nice blog entry. I was talking to a friend last night by phone. Her Intermediate age son is to be found most days, racked with anxiety, sobbing in the corner of the classroom. Her concluding comment: "I wonder whether he's actually learning anything"? Just being there isn't the point I suppose. Can I say it's a bit like a serial murderer continuing to go to church? The 'inherent social practices' do matter. I like Baker & Street. Cheers, Jan.
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