This book is important and makes a unique contribution in the field of mathematics education and creativity. The book comprises the most recent research by renowned international experts and scholars, as well as a comprehensive up to date literature review. The developmental lens applied to the research presented makes it unique in the field. Also, this book provides a discussion of future directions for research to complement what is already known in the field of mathematical creativity. Finally, a critical discussion of the importance of the literature in relation to development of learners and accordingly pragmatic applications for educators is provided.
Many books provide the former (2) foci, but omit the final discussion of the research in relation to developmental needs of learners in the domain of mathematics. Currently, educators are expected to implement best practices and illustrate how their adopted approaches are supported by research. The authors and editors of this book have invested significant effort in merging theory with practice to further this field and develop it for future generations of mathematics learners, teachers and researchers.
Scott A. Chamberlin is a mathematics and gifted educator and professor at the University of Wyoming. Having completed his Ph. D. at Purdue University, he invests research and scholarly efforts in student affect and creativity in mathematical problem solving episodes. Of particular importance to him is mathematical modeling given early efforts in his career with Drs. Richard Lesh and Judy Zawojewski. Scott’s most recent book (scheduled to be released in January 2021) pertains to the Five Legs Theory of Creativity in which he and colleague Eric Mann (Hope College) have devoted considerable time in explicating the relationship between mathematical creativity and mathematical affect.
Peter Liljedahl is a mathematics educator and professor at Simon Fraser University. Many of his scholarly efforts in recent years have pertained to teacher education, mathematical modeling, mathematical affect and Flow, as well as mathematical creativity. In particular, Peter deeply understands the intricacies of creativity in mathematics as well as the pragmatic effects on student learning. Peter is a former co-editor in the Research in Mathematics series, having worked with Patricio Felmer and Boris Koichu, on a recent (2019) book entitled, Problem Solving in Mathematics Instruction and Teacher Professional Development.
Miloš Savić is a mathematics educator and associate professor at the University of Oklahoma. His recent efforts in developing the Creativity in Progress Reflections with the Creativity Research Group (CRG) that will be utilized in this publication. The CRG is known in the mathematical creativity field as leaders in the tertiary level, including in proof-based courses. Their recent National Science Foundation grant has generated substantial understanding about mathematical identity and creativity at the calculus level.
