ICMI 1966–2016

a double insiders' view of the latest half century of the international commission on mathematical instruction

Bernard R. Hodgson

Mogens Niss

pp. 229-247

in: Gabriele Kaiser, Helen Forgasz, Mellony Graven, Alain Kuzniak, Elaine Simmt, Binyan Xu (eds), Invited lectures from the 13th international congress on mathematical education, Berlin, Springer, 2018

Abstract

This paper concentrates on the latest five decades of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction. We had the privilege of occupying leading positions within ICMI for roughly half the period under consideration, which has provided us with a unique standpoint for identifying and reflecting on main trends and developments of the relationship between ICMI and mathematics education. The years 1966–2016 have seen marked trends and developments in mathematics teaching and learning around the world, at the same time as mathematics education as a scientific discipline came of age and matured. ICMI as an organisation has not only observed these developments but has also been a key player in charting and analysing them, as well as in fostering and facilitating (some of) them. We offer, here, observations, analyses and reflections on key issues in mathematics education as perceived by us as ICMI officers, and as influenced by ICMI.