Understanding George Polya's Mathematics Objectives

George Polya was a renowned mathematician who significantly contributed to mathematics education, particularly in the area of problem-solving. He articulated clear objectives for teaching mathematics in schools.

According to George Polya, the objectives of mathematics education in schools can be broadly classified into two main types. These two types cover different aspects of what students should gain from learning mathematics.

The two types of objectives proposed by Polya are:

• The Narrow Objective: This objective focuses on teaching specific mathematical content. It includes acquiring factual knowledge, mastering computational skills, understanding basic concepts, and learning standard algorithms and procedures. This is about building the foundation of mathematical knowledge and proficiency in specific techniques.
• The Broad Objective: This objective goes beyond just the content. It aims at developing general intellectual abilities and skills that are valuable in many areas of life, not just mathematics. The most prominent aspect of the broad objective is the development of problem-solving skills. It also includes fostering logical thinking, critical reasoning, creativity, and independent thought. Polya believed that mathematics is an excellent subject for cultivating these broader intellectual capabilities.

In summary, Polya distinguished between teaching the 'what' (specific math topics and skills) and teaching the 'how' and 'why' (problem-solving and intellectual development). Therefore, based on George Polya's views, there are two main types of objectives for school mathematics education.