As educators, we can attest to how students are the best litmus test for the relevance of our subject matter. To close the gap between an abstract idea or the means to a good grade, we must contextualize our teaching within the issues most prevalent in our students' minds.
Each month, two invited authors reflect on an important mathematics education topic from perspectives of either “Then” (the past) or “Now” (the present with an eye toward the future).
To close the gap between an abstract idea and student understanding, teachers must contextualize instruction within the issues uppermost in students' minds.