• The Mathematical Education
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.115-129
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• 2012

The values and methods of mathematics education which mathematics teachers tried to impart to their students have varied historically according to the situations of each institution. The cases of the mathematics education in Cambridge University and University College, London show that the peculiar meanings or values of mathematics education were transmitted on students and the methods or focus of the teaching were uniquely determined under the influences of university examinations or conditions of students. In specific, the characteristic education of Augustus De Morgan who studied in Cambridge University and then taught in University College, London reveals better the different institutional contexts. In this paper, I suggest mathematics teachers reconsider mathematics learning motivations on their institutional contexts.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.175-190
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• 2007

In the nineteenth century was Augustus De Morgan, British mathematician, a great mathematics teacher. Although his name is well known to everybody who is interested in set theory, his major mathematical legacy would arise from his novel research in logic. In this article, we first investigate De Morgan's life briefly; we then consider his precious philosophy of mathematics education based on his students' remarks and his works. Finally, by considering his teaching style, we highlight some of the ingredients that go into making a great mathematics teacher.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.109-143
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• 2011

Augustus De Morgan became to be deeply interested in the education of pure mathematics since he came to teach in UCL because of the specific nature of natural philosophy lectures, the academical knowledge and reasoning powers of the students, and the negative attitudes of London society on mathematics. During his long tenure, he really tried his best to make his students understand the important concepts and the principles of pure mathematics, and logically explain the processes of inducing and proving the laws of pure mathematics. When he could not stay as a mere researcher, he had to concern himself with and pay attention to the problems of educating students. And then his teaching style was constructed in a specific way by the various attitudes about mathematics, the boundary relationship between the adjacent academical branches, and the social and systematic nature of UCL.