Modernising Mathematics Teaching in the 1960s : Controversies in Nordic Cooperation

Abstract

Four autonomous countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, established Nordic cooperation on modernising mathematics teaching in 1960, supported by the Nordic Council and OEEC, later OECD. Working teams wrote directives to teams writing experimental texts to be tested. The work continued until 1967. Soon controversies crept in. There were language problems, there were different opinions about modern mathematics concepts and symbols at compulsory level, and there were questions about authorship. The Swedes and the Danes turned out to be more active than the Norwegians and the Finns. The cooperation created useful discussion on mathematics curriculum, not the least for preparing legislation on nine-year compulsory school, stressing equal access to education for all, which was under development in all four countries, as well as in Iceland, the fifth Nordic country.

Four autonomous countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, established Nordic cooperation on modernising mathematics teaching in 1960, supported by the Nordic Council and OEEC, later OECD. Working teams wrote directives to teams writing experimental texts to be tested. The work continued until 1967. Soon controversies crept in. There were language problems, there were different opinions about modern mathematics concepts and symbols at compulsory level, and there were questions about authorship. The Swedes and the Danes turned out to be more active than the Norwegians and the Finns. The cooperation created useful discussion on mathematics curriculum, not the least for preparing legislation on nine-year compulsory school, stressing equal access to education for all, which was under development in all four countries, as well as in Iceland, the fifth Nordic country.