Kaye Stacey' Helen Chick' and Margaret Kendal The University of
Melbourne' Australia Abstract: This section reports on the organisation'
procedures' and publications of the ICMI Study' The Future of the
Teaching and Learning of Algebra. Key words: Study Conference'
organisation' procedures' publications The International Commission on
Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) has' since the 1980s' conducted a series
of studies into topics of particular significance to the theory and
practice of contemporary mathematics education. Each ICMI Study involves
an international seminar' the "Study Conference"' and culminates in a
published volume intended to promote and assist discussion and action at
the international' national' regional' and institutional levels. The
ICMI Study running from 2000 to 2004 was on The Future of the Teaching
and Learning of Algebra' and its Study Conference was held at The
University of Melbourne' Australia fromDecember to 2001. It was the
first study held in the Southern Hemisphere. There are several reasons
why the future of the teaching and learning of algebra was a timely
focus at the beginning of the twenty first century. The strong research
base developed over recent decades enabled us to take stock of what has
been achieved and also to look forward to what should be done and what
might be achieved in the future. In addition' trends evident over recent
years have intensified. Those particularly affecting school mathematics
are the "massification" of education--continuing in some countries
whilst beginning in others--and the advance of technology.
