Everyone knows that mathematics can help children in the classroom and academically however, how can they help in real life?
In a recent input we discussed how mathematics is involved in medicine specifically, how statistics can help. This is something that has really interested me in the sense that the NHS can be reliant in this mathematics at times.
According to NHS England (undated) ‘statistics are used to create debate, inform decision making and research both within government and by the wider community.’ This suggests that without statistics research within the medical world would not be able to take place.
This is supported by Annekld (2016) where they believe that statistics are vital to medicine and in specfic nursing and they way they interpret and understand the data they have been presented with. Medical statistics allow nurses to make quick decisions and act on outcomes they have been presented.
Essentially, statistics is an integral part of nursing and the medical profession, this is due to the direct impact it has on the wider community and society. This can effect individuals on a wider scale being without statistics people could be prescribed wrong dosage, or not be prescribed the essential medicine.
According to Caplan (2012) statistics are used in medicine for a number of reasons most importantly for blood pressure accuracy, this is devolved around statistics – what is healthy and what needs attention. This suggests that statistics are needed to test the healthiness of the patient and allow everyone to achieve the ‘norm’.
SO… what does this mean for us as teachers?
Well, this has certainly opened my eyes to the power of mathematics, without this people have the ability to deteriorate in health and in worst case scenario have a fatal outcome. This statistical values allows people to keep on top of health as well as correctly preform a medical procedure.
As teachers we should always emphasise the importance of mathematics within the real world and consequently this is a big one. This can allow children to further engage with their academic studies as well as show them there is a life of maths outside of the classroom. This links to Ma (2010, pp.22) where she states children should have interconnectedness within their learning in maths, how does this impact on them in the long run and how can they grow up to change the world from maths. This gives them a goal to achieve and a dream to set, to change the medical world through the impact of maths.
Us as teachers need to encourage these goals and plant the right seeds for children to fall in love with maths and see it as so much more than just counting and sums.
References:
NHS England (undated) Statistics[online] Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/category/statistics. (Accessed on: 11 November 2018)
annekld. “What are the uses of statistics in nursing?”, 29 Jan. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-uses-statistics-nursing-361410. (Accessed 11 Nov. 2018.)
Lorraine Caplan. “What are the uses of statistics in nursing?”, 22 Sep. 2012, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-uses-statistics-nursing-361410. (Accessed 11 Nov. 2018.)
Ma, L., (2010) Knowing and teaching elementary mathematics New York: Routledge.
