Assessing the Impact of Mathematics
According to institutional theory, mathematics guides our norms and belief about culture in several ways. To start with, it has promoted the preference of symbolic communication to our normal verbal communication. Communication among our culture has undergone a drastic transformation whereby the mathematics elites inflict other members to prefer symbolic communication rather than verbal due to its simplicity yet resourceful information portrayal. Images assume an indispensable role in new knowledge integration. Mathematics deviates some of our beliefs in the culture. The ability to tackle problems and discover new concepts in math problems without supernatural power may inflict one’s thought that everything happens according to one’s knowledge and not from any supernatural power assistance, a vital element in cultural belief. The ability to solve complicated mathematics problems broadens one’s understanding of other general aspects such as culture. Therefore, one can distinguish the good and the bad vices of any of the cultural practices and thus eliminate the bad ones while modifying the good ones for overall improvements.
Theory has played a fundamental role in support of pedagogical practices. For instance, theory elements such as research, documentation, and reflections shape pedagogy. With these elements’ utilization, one can acquire a more profound understanding of pedagogy, including its challenges. Thus he/she will formulate the best hypothesis and apply it in his/her teaching. The theory instructional approaches, such as the constructivist model, guide the math tutors in their endeavors to pass their concepts to the students, thus saving time and teaching efforts. Finally, theory enables math tutors to select strategies according to his/her beliefs, learner needs, and task demands, an improvement in pedagogy.
It is prudent to say that math theory positively impacts culture and pedagogical practices depending on the strategies and approaches used.