Mathematical Curiosity: Conceptualizations and Multiple Perspectives

Leikin, Roza; Cai, Jinfa; Karp, Alexander

This book represents a pioneering effort to establish mathematical curiosity as its own field of study within mathematics education. The authors take a multifaceted approach, examining curiosity through three key lenses: cognitive (how the mind processes and engages with mathematical concepts), affective (the emotional and motivational aspects of mathematical learning), and social (how curiosity develops through interaction with others).

The historical and cultural perspectives offer valuable context by exploring how different societies and time periods have understood and cultivated mathematical wonder. This broader view helps educators understand that curiosity isn't just a modern pedagogical tool, but has deep roots in how humans have always engaged with mathematical thinking.

The practical applications section likely provides concrete strategies and techniques that teachers can implement immediately. Rather than remaining purely theoretical, the book bridges the gap between research findings and classroom reality, offering evidence-based methods for nurturing student curiosity.

By positioning mathematical curiosity as a distinct scholarly domain, the authors are essentially arguing that this area deserves dedicated research attention, theoretical development, and practical exploration. This could lead to new research methodologies, assessment approaches, and pedagogical frameworks specifically designed around curiosity-driven learning.

The book's ultimate goal is transformative - not just to inform readers about curiosity, but to actively engage their own sense of mathematical wonder and potentially recruit them as contributors to this emerging field.

Details

Published by: Springer

Publication Date: 2026-01-02

Format: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9783031990816

DOI:

Dimensions: 235.0cm x155.0cm

Pages: 328.0