Financial literacy Mathematics curriculum IT curriculum Compound interest Spreadsheets Pocket money Word problems
Issue Date:
31-May-2013
Publisher:
Institute of Mathematics and Informatics Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Association for the Development of the Information Society
Citation:
Proceedings of the National Conference on "Education in the Information Society", Plovdiv, May, 2013, 049p-057p
Series/Report no.:
ADIS;2013
Abstract:
Mathematics and IT classes in the Bulgarian school provide various opportunities
for developing students’ logical, mathematical, and technological thinking. Being an important
part of mathematical literacy, financial literacy can be systematically built in the frame of
national mathematics and IT curricula. Following that objective, exemplary word problems
have been designed to make middle and high school students discover elementary truths in
finances. Not only is their topic of managing pocket money attractive to both students and
parents, but their very content impels the students to reason out real life financial situations.
Using spreadsheets for calculations and representations helps the students to experience
how compound interest works. Such practice improves their planning and decision-making
skills in finances and is highly proactive towards their financial responsibility. Work on word
problems of the kind is also beneficial to the students from the vocational schools of banking
and finances. It provides them with valuable experience for their future internship and jobs.
Description:
Report published in the Proceedings of the National Conference on "Education in the Information Society", Plovdiv, May, 2013
