Resumen de Notice Mathematics around You
Sirje Pihlap, Sirje Sild, Kristi Kreutzberg
Estonian students have achieved good results in international comparative assessments of TIMMS 2003, PISA 2006 and 2009. However, those assessments have identified certain problems that require closer attention: our students do not like to learn mathematics and they do not regard it as a valuable subject in terms of their future plans. According to several studies learning mathematics can be made more interesting, rewarding and fun by the use of computers. Several software applications, including Wiris computer algebra software and GeoGebra dynamic geometry software, are available for mathematics instruction in Estonia. A student competition "Notice Mathematics around You" has been organised in Estonia for five years to promote the use of the aforementioned software applications and to emphasise connections between mathematics and daily life. The students believed that the competitions have provided them with new knowledge and skills along with the joy of discovery. Several contestants stated that they were not able to see mathematics everywhere around us before the competition.
