Mathematical Literacy for Living in the Highly Information-and-Technology-Oriented in the 21st Century: Mathematics Education from the Perspective of Human Life in Society

This paper discusses mathematical literacy for living in our highly information-and- technology-oriented society in the 21st century. First, it inquires into the significance of thinking about mathematical literacy in terms of how it benefits modern individuals, as well as modern society. A summary of the past trends of mathematical literacy in Japan is given. This is followed by a consideration of a framework for thinking about mathematical literacy in the future. Here, the focus is on mathematical methods and the need to re-visit the meaning of studying mathematics. This is followed by a discussion of the design of school mathematics curricula that aim to nurture mathematical literacy. The discussion includes an examination of the general structure of school mathematics as it pertains to mathematical literacy, and the framework of school mathematics that addresses diversity. Concrete examples of the designs of school mathematics curricula based on research on mathematics education in Japan to date are given. Lastly, the maintenance and development of mathematical literacy outside school is touched upon.