Another bloggin Maths Teacher!

The birth of the 'blog' is already a major event in the history of expression, media and publishing and is already changing the way we consume and share information accordingly. The sheer vastness of available blogs almost certainly means that there are 100s if not 1000s of entries like this one and so the first question I find myself asking as I write my first ever blog entry is 'Why write a blog about maths teaching?' swiftly followed by 'Why would anyone read it?' Key questions, I think you'll agree, that should be addressed before I consider a second entry!

Let me start with the first question! I am really happy with my answer to this one! Writing about something you are passionate about can only ever be a good idea. I have realised that the biggest reason people write blogs is becasue they have something to say and they want to record it somewhere. The process of saying your piece can be deeply theraputic, whatever the subject and the process of trying to articulate your views with written words requires a refinement and clarity that can really help you to get your own thoughts clear, especially when you know you are publishing your words for the whole world to read (depending on the answer to the second question). So, in short, I am passionate about Mathematics teaching and Mathematical Studies course, and I am going to enjoy trying to articulate the thoughts that pass through me as I go about my business as a teacher and website author. A deeply selfish response!

As far as the second is concerned, there is no logical argument that suggests that if my motivation for writing this blog is sound that it will be interesting for other people to read and so this is a harder question to answer. Of course, if anyone is still reading then I am getting somewhere towards an answer as I am if they are not! I am just aware that the Internet and the various devices we have for accessing it are bringing so many more possibilities than ever before, that I read and see more from sources I never knew existed much more than I ever did before. I'll happily while away an evening on the sofa with my iPad, checking through the new items from my RSS feeds that bring new ideas for my classroom or for general interest, new thoughts about my courses and my profession and generally more information about the world around me. So, I read other peoples blogs, so they might read mine too from time to time!

Only time will tell, but let me finish this entry by saying that teaching is a richly rewarding profession not least because of the endless ways there are to develop and improve what we do that become part of the endless evolution of the profession. Mathematics is a truly beautiful subject that always holds new surprises at any level. Mathematics teaching is what I am going to write about in this blog, I hope that readers can find thought provoking ideas, some help and inspiration from reading it!