Computation as a big idea in mathematics

Abstract

Charles (2005) defines a Big Idea in Mathematics to be “a statement of an idea that is central to the learning of mathematics, one that links numerous mathematical understandings into a coherent whole” (p. 10). Therein, Charles listed a total of 21 Big Ideas – acknowledging the impossibility that all mathematicians and mathematics educators can agree on these – with the hope that they can be a starting point to initiate conversations. In this paper, we propose that ‘Computation’ can be added to this list of big ideas in mathematics and give compelling reasons to support our proposal. Additionally, we describe some implications of such an inclusion with particular emphasis on teaching and learning of mathematics at schools.