Lingua Mathematica as an Antidote for Digital Exclusion

Abstract

Authors of this paper discuss the role of mathematics in contemporary education and working life, as well as present situation. Authors suggest that mathematics should be seen as an elementary building block in contemporary business communication as well as a basic citizen skill and present motivation and potential benefits for this approach. Abstract mathematical thinking and logical reasoning are essential skills in human-computer-interaction as well as interaction between IS designers as well as between end users. Main goal is not just in being able to pass elementary math courses, or in understanding simple accounting. These are basic abilities required to operate freely in a contemporary society and thus are important. Recent PISA results from Europe indicate that these skills are deteriorating already at a very early stage, and this is extremely alarming. Authors are calling for action, and refer to the big picture, where mathematics is a way of thinking and communicating abstract ideas and principles as well as a way of making sense of our surroundings and mental landscape.