From ethnomathematics to ethnocomputing

Bill Babbitt

Dan Lyles

Ron Eglash

pp. 205-219

in: Swapna Mukhopadhyay, Wolff-Michael Roth (eds), Alternative forms of knowing (in) mathematics, Rotterdam, SensePublishers, 2012

Abstract

Ethnomathematics faces two challenges: first, it must investigate the mathematical ideas in cultural practices that are often assumed to be unrelated to mathematics. Second, even if we are successful in finding this previously unrecognized mathematics, applying this to children's education may be difficult. In this essay, we will describe the use of computational media to help address both of these challenges.