An interdisciplinary team of University of Arkansas faculty collaborated on a recently-published book that defines mathematics education terms and concisely describes relevant literature for each term.

The Language of Mathematics Education: An Expanded Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts in Mathematics Teaching and Learning, is coauthored by Shannon Dingman, Laura Kent, Kim McComas, and Cynthia Orona.   

The book was published by Brill Sense and is the second in a series outlining key terms and concepts. Bill McComas, Parks Family Distinguished Professor of Science Education at the U of A, published the initial book, The Language of Science Education: Key Terms and Concepts in Science Teaching and Learning. Other faculty in the College of Education and Health Professions have shown interest in adding to the series.

Bill McComas approached the mathematics educators regarding the idea and potential for this book. The author team began by brainstorming a list of terms they often use in their work or words that had been sources of discussion within various groups and researchers working in the field of mathematics education. They also reached out to other leaders in the field for input on the terms. The book is a compilation of over 100 mathematics education terms. These include phrases used to describe the mental processes used in thinking mathematically, such as "relational thinking" and "van Hiele levels".

The authors said those new to the mathematics education profession will benefit from this book, as well as veterans in the field. This could include graduate students, early career faculty and those working closely with colleagues or students still emerging in their careers and understanding of mathematics education research.

To add to the U of A collaboration, the book cover photo was taken by Russell Cothren, a photographer at University Relations. The cover art displays a model of a four-dimensional polyhedron that was constructed by the U of A Math Club, coordinated by math professor Chaim Goodman-Strauss, to hang in the U of A library. Although the model no longer hangs there, its complex yet patterned structure symbolizes the beauty, regularity, and richness that lie within mathematics, a fitting photo for this book.