ADULT MATHEMATICAL COMPETENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: CASE OF BALTIC STATES

Abstract

Mathematical competence is one of the eight basic key competencies which are defined by EU Directives. Mathematical competence includes the skills of applying basic processes and principles of mathematics in everyday contexts. The aim of current research is to identify the role of adult mathematics education and mathematical competence in sustainable development in case of Baltic States. We are continuing the investigations that began in the Nordplus research project “Cooperation to strengthen the citizens' math skills in the context of sustainable development and welfare”. The main objective of the research is to highlight the role of mathematics in a lifelong context. We separate two aspects of mathematics role in sustainable development. The first considers mathematics as a tool in processional work, the second considers the role of mathematical competence in the development of person's intelligence and personality. Both aspects are widely discussed in the scientific literature and in the programmatic documents of United Nations, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizationn, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Through combining insights of theoretical goals of leading international institutions and actual survey data we can show the value of mathematical competence in adults in the Baltic states.

Keywords: employees, employers, mathematical competence, sustainable development

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.220