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Announcing the launch of CM Define It
Friday 18 October 2019 at 00:01 am (BST)
Our mathematics glossary app, CM Define it, will launch on the morning of Friday 18 October 2019.
Having identified the need for an accurate, holistic and accessible glossary of mathematical vocabulary, the Cambridge Maths team has developed the app to act as a crowdsourcing tool which will collect information from members of the maths community about existing mathematical definitions. This will then inform a glossary which will ultimately be embedded into the Cambridge Maths Framework.
Why is this important?
CM Define It is a research tool which will investigate how existing definitions of mathematical terminology are perceived and how those definitions might be improved for different audiences.
The app will inform us about what those who work with mathematical key words value in definitions. It will allow us to think about what our Framework glossary should include and may enhance participants' understanding of certain mathematical terms. It may also allow researchers to explore and develop accurate and appropriate subject-specific terminology, and identify inconsistencies in, or preferences for,
definitions between particular populations, for instance by geographical region.
Most glossaries aim to meet the needs of one specific group (e.g. primary children, beginning teachers or secondary school teachers) and therefore the key terms and the explanations included meet the needs of one level of learner.
A holistic glossary could address different groups and levels of learning and knowledge, and would offer readers a choice of several possibilities.
Finally, many learners, teachers and resource developers may spend a lot of time navigating irrelevant sources of information to find the vocabulary and definitions they are looking for. Having a single source of mathematical definitions could help to address this need.
Sign up to the CM Define It app!
The CM Define It app will release one mathematical word per week, giving up to 5 definitions of the word. It may expose you to definitions you have not seen before, but all of the definitions come from reputable sources which are referenced at the end of each week's exercise. If you sign up to the CM Define It app you will be able to rate the definitions, select reasons for your ratings and provide additional feedback in free response boxes. The app offers analytics of previous weeks’ ratings filtered by the overall responses and/or responses for individual categories of learners.
Joining the CM Define It app is completely voluntary and users can withdraw at any time. If you have any questions about it, please contact us on our dedicated app email: info@cmdefineit.org
But most important of all, if you or anyone you know is interested in rating some mathematical definitions, please sign up by visiting www.cmdefineit.org or by installing a version of the app for Android, for Windows 10, or for Apple iOS (if using an iPhone or iPad, you will need to open the link in Safari in order to install the app).
Thank you - and happy defining!
About Cambridge Mathematics
Cambridge Mathematics is committed to championing and securing a world class mathematics education for all students from 3 – 19 years old, applicable to both national and international contexts and based on evidence from research and practice.
