Which Mathematics for the Information Society?

MathIS is a new project that aims to reinvigorate secondaryschool mathematics by exploiting insights of the dynamics of algorithmic problem solving. This paper describes the main ideas that underpin the project. In summary, we propose a central role for formal logic, the development of a calculational style of reasoning, the emphasis on the algorithmic nature of mathematics, and the promotion of self-discovery by the students. These ideas are discussed and the case is made, through a number of examples that show the teaching style that we want to introduce, for their relevance in shaping mathematics training for the years to come. In our opinion, the education of software engineers that work effectively with formal methods and mathematical abstractions should start before university and would benefit from the ideas discussed here. We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for better or for worse, and that means we have to be very careful in the choice of what we learn and teach, for unlearning is really not possible. — E. W. DIJKSTRA in [15]