We will begin with the book of George Polya: Mathematical Discovery, On Understanding, Learning, and Teaching Problem Solving and we will discuss the concept of heuristics. Second will be the book of Imre Lakatos(1972): Proofs and Refutations and we will focus on creating concepts and definitions.
As a third work we will discuss Hans Freudenthal (1972): Mathematics as an Educational Task, in terms of the relationship between mathematics and the real world. Finally, we will return to the past of didactics of mathematics to the book of Felix Klein (1908): Elementary Mathematics from Advanced Standpoint.
The aim of the course is to get the students acquainted with some of the classical works in mathematics education. The course has the form of a seminar, where students will read and discuss selected passages from the works of George Polya, Imre Lakatos and Hans Freudenthal.