Square One TV: A Venture in the Popularization of Mathematics

Summary

Mathematics is decidedly not popular in the United States of America. Course enrollments decline markedly as students progress through secondary school. Many of our students achieve little more than low-level computational skills. Adults often exhibit a narrow view of mathematics tinged with disregard, even hostility. Even though many adults recognize the importance of mathematics in work and careers, they often disavow its personal relevance. In fact, our businesses and industries spend billions of dollars each year on remedial programs. If one accepts the premise that mathematics is essential to a well-functioning citizenry, then popularization of mathematics is not only valuable but necessary. The general failure of our principal effort in the popularization of mathematics - pre-college education - suggests that popularization be attempted in alternative settings.

THE CTW MODEL FOR TELEVISION PRODUCTION

The Children's Television Workshop (CTW) produces educational television programs for children. With Sesame Street, its first production, CTW initiated the use of mass-market, commercial broadcasting techniques and styles for educational purposes. The CTW model for television production brings together three distinct groups: production, research, and content. The production group consists of the full range of specialists in television production. The researchers are specialists in child development, psychology, or communications.