Comparing The Mathematics Textbooks In China And America From The Perspective Of Context

The close connection between mathematics and the real life of students becomes a key feature of mathematics education, driven by the curriculum revolution. However, there has been little research that study the contexts by working on the most basic materials—textbooks. Teachers’teaching is based on textbooks, they are the first data when students come into contact with knowledge and they play an important role. At the same time, as there are positive results about integration of mathematics and life in America, so this paper attempts to compare the contexts which turn up in the mathematics textbooks of China and America, and finds the strengths and weaknesses of our country, thus gaining some inspiration of compiling textbooks.This paper selects Core-Plus Mathematics:Contemporary Mathematics in Context (2nd Edition) (referred to as CPM) published by McGraw-Hill Company and Chinese mathematics textbooks published by People’s Education Press(referred to as PEP) as the research subjects. We obtain the results as follows by static text analysis and comparison:Firstly, in the aspect of total amount of contexts, CPM is far more than PEP.Secondly, in the aspect of column distribution, both textbooks focus on the exercise column. In CPM, the distribution ratio of contexts in each column and the length of each column show positive correlation. On the contract, in PEP they are not highly related.Thirdly, in the aspect of column category, both tend to use more public life and Science & Technology contexts than personal life and Arts & Humanities. Among the public life contexts, CPM adopts more entertainment life which PEP rarely use. PEP seems to be more serious but less fun relatively.Fourthly, in the aspect of illustration contexts, either amount or percentage of illustrations, CPM is far more than PEP. Meanwhile, the tends of the amount of contexts and illustrations are similar. The difference is, CPM has not only physical images which fit the contexts but also scene images of regular life and cooperative learning.Fifthly, in the aspect of the way of using contexts, the most frequently used way is imbedding problem in both textbooks. Direct reference is mainly in the beginning column, imbedding problem is mainly applied to exercise column, and all exploration driven is in the CPM. In general, both textbooks are lack of higher level method like exploration driven.Based on the above research results, this paper puts forward some proposals for domestic textbooks compilation follows:1.Increasing the number of contexts in textbooks appropriately.2.Balancing each column’s contexts rationally.3.Selecting contexts of multiple aspect of real life when compiling textbooks, especially things around students.4.Increasing the number of illustration contexts, moreover considering using color version textbooks.5.Trying to use high level application method of contexts like exploration driven.