ABSTRACT

What are the special and particular problems that lie in the way of effective teaching and learning in pure mathematics? If we restrict our attention to a context of higher education in the UK, there are a number of signals and signs that can be read. Among these are current issues in mathematical education, reported problems in contemporary literature (a good recent example is Brake, 2001) and-to a lesser extent-the results of the Assessment of the Quality of Education, which has recently been initiated by Quality Assurance Agency acting on the behalf of the funding bodies.