Realistic Approach Towards Mathematics Teaching

Currently four possible approaches are being presented in the methodology of mathematics teaching: 1. Mechanical - The mechanical approach towards teaching corresponds with understanding the teaching as a system of reactions. By means of drill we can programme the pupil as a computer towards exercising arithmetic, algebraic and geometrical operations and solving problems which can be classified according to certain signs and solved further according to certain patterns. 2. Structuralistic - The structuralistic approach towards teaching can l demonstrated by two examples: the traditional geometry organize on a basis of axiomatic construction and the so called modern mathematics based on a theory of sets and logic. For pupils a structured world of sets and relations has been created. 3. Empirical - The empirical approach comes out of the needs of practise and it is supposed to serve those needs. In the teaching process the experience of the pupils is used, but the pupils are not lead to systematic and rational utilization of this experience. 4. Realistic - The real stimuli from the constantly enlarging world oi the pupil are used as well. The pupil becomes a re-discoverer oi mathematics which stimulates and develops his ability. The realistic mathematics education (RME) comes out of the principle that teaching mathematics means constructing mathematics by the own steps of the pupils from informal approaches connected with reality towards something acceptable as formal mathematics.