In all adult basic education math settings, the development of critical thinking skills is crucial. Statements should be open to question, reaction, and elaboration from others. Mathematical communication is an overarching process which includes understanding, expressing, and conveying ideas mathematically in order to reflect on and clarify one's thinking, to make convincing arguments, and to reach decisions. Effective workers must be able to interpret and communicate infor-mation and communicate ideas to justify positions. In the workplace, much of this information and many of these ideas are mathematical.
Mathematical communication can occur in any relationship and context.
Communication is essential for understanding. Communication provides the foundation for learning in school and in life. Communication includes knowing when and being able to ask for help both in the classroom and in life. Communication, in math as in other aspects of life, is the bridge to finding and exchanging ideas, to identifying problems, and to seeking and finding solutions to these problems. Communication is essential to working collaboratively at home, at work, and in the community.