Revista Latinoamericana de Etnomatemática (Jan 2017)

Sinopse dos estudos sobre (etno)saberes matemáticos efetuados no nordeste português e sua aplicação didática

  • Cecília Costa,
  • Maria Nascimento,
  • Paula Catarino

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
pp. 128 – 136

Abstract

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In this article we analyze the research studies carried out by northeast Portuguese about the existing Ethnomathematics knowledge in traditional professions and artefacts. We refer to craft trades such as cooperage, tinsmithing, locksmithing and carpentry, and artefacts built by these craftsmen, such as barrels and vats, oil cans and other canned vessels, wrought-iron balconies, and yokes. We reflect on these studies and we disclose their potential in educational terms. We verified that it is possible to apply ethnomathematical knowledge and know-how in the context of the mathematics classroom in the 2nd and 3rd cycles of Portuguese education, and that this has its advantages. The mathematical contents are contextualized and the students discover uses of mathematics that they did not suspect, although being very close to them. In short, artisans feel their work valued and students become more aware of the culture of their region, in addition to learning math in an experimental and more engaging way.