Education Commons^™

Improving The Mathematical Content Knowledge Of Pre-Service Middle School Teachers, Gregory Hine

Education Conference Papers

The tertiary training of pre-service teachers is pivotal in their professional preparation and formation as qualified educators. Multiple authors posit that teachers require a development of pedagogical content knowledge, or knowing a variety of ways to present mathematical content and to assist students to deepen their understanding (Chick, 2012; Shulman, 1987). Emerick, Hirsch and Berry (2003) argue that high quality teachers must possess appropriate mathematical content knowledge, and must also possess considerable background in communicating effectively to students. There are two aims of this educational research. The first is to investigate the self-perceptions of pre-service middle school teachers enrolled in …

Learning Environments That Support The Development Of Multiplicative Thinking, Derek Hurrell, Lorraine Day

Education Conference Papers

Given the right learning environment primary aged children can and do develop the capacity to think multiplicatively. Through vignettes taken from interviews with a Year 5 class during a research project, the optimal conditions for the conceptual development underpinning multiplicative thinking is examined.

Preparing Secondary Mathematics Teachers: A Review Of Research, Gregory Hine

Education Conference Papers

The international literature base concerning the preparation of pre-service secondary mathematics teachers has grown steadily over the past two decades, yet there appears to be no consensus on a best practice approach. A review of three research projects (2 American; 1 Australian) that focus on different aspects of secondary mathematics teacher preparation provides consideration for universities
wishing to strengthen existing programs.

From Arrays To Algebra, Lorraine Day

Education Conference Papers

By identifying the learning experiences that need to be developed in the primary school, and how secondary teachers can build on these experiences, ensures solid algebraic understanding and a smooth transition between primary and secondary mathematics. Using concrete materials, within a concrete-representational-abstract pedagogical approach, may be seen as one among many methods that contribute to the overall process of developing algebraic skills. Linking an area-based model to previous understandings involving numbers should assist the conceptual understanding of algebraic expansion and factorisation to ensure that students are not just fluent in algebraic manipulation but also understand how the processes work.

Developing Proportional Reasoning, Derek Hurrell, Lorraine Day

Education Conference Papers

Proportional reasoning is one of the big mathematical ideas students will encounter. It applies to a wide range of contexts across all of the content strands and is considered a critical concept for success in secondary mathematics. It requires an ability to think multiplicatively and relationally, and is often problematic for students.

Tasks And Resources For Developing Children's Multiplicative Thinking, Derek Hurrell, Chris Hurst

Education Conference Papers

The development of multiplicative thinking determines largely the extent of the mathematics that a person learns beyond middle primary school. Our current research project has so far revealed that many primary children have a procedural view of aspects of multiplicative thinking that we believe inhibits their progress. This workshop focuses on some of the teaching resources and tasks that have been developed from our research. The purpose of these tasks is to promote the development of conceptual understanding of 'the multiplicative situation' and the many connections within it and with other big ideas such as proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking.

It's Okay, I'M A...Teacher. Is Professional Status Important To Teachers?, C Mcgunnigle, D O'Connor, J Waggoner, T Treasure, L Cranley, S Davie

Education Conference Papers

Teacher accountability and the debate around teacher quality are issues of international importance. As society places increasing demands on the teaching profession, and regulatory bodies around the globe raise the ‘standards’ for teachers to adhere to, the professional status of teachers is drawn into focus. This paper reports research findings of an investigation into the perspectives of professional status of teachers, held by pre-service teachers about to embark on their teaching career. This was a comparative study whereby data were collected from an Australian university and an American university to explore professional status as an international issue. This quantitative study …

Mathematics: A Good Predictor For Success In A Health Science Degree, G Hine, R Anderton, C Joyce

Education Conference Papers

Research-based literature indicates that secondary school mathematics performance is highly predictive of university performance Moreover, scholars suggest that success in secondary mathematics courses translates into success in tertiary degrees where mathematics is required. This paper examines the extent to which the completion of secondary school mathematics courses is predictive of academic success for 57 first-year students enrolled in a Health Science degree at The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) (Fremantle Campus). Using the University’s databases, the level of mathematics completed at secondary school was examined against gender, Tertiary Entrance Ranking (TER) and Grade Point Average (GPA). A statistical analysis …

Investigating Children's Multiplicative Thinking, Chris Hurst, Derek Hurrell

Education Conference Papers

Multiplicative thinking is a ‘big idea’ of mathematics that underpins much of the mathematics learned beyond the early primary school years. The conference presentation reports on a recent study that utilised an interview tool to gather data about children’s multiplicative thinking. Using a workshop format, we present some of the interview tool and some of the findings, as well as demonstrate how the tool can be used for planning, teaching and assessment. The session also emphasises the importance of developing deep conceptual understanding as opposed to the teaching of procedures. This paper considers how evidence from the interview can be …

Looking Within To Build Strong Foundations Of Personhood: The Importance Of Early Years Teacher’S Reflective Practice In The Formation Of A Positive Sense Of Identity In The Children They Work With, D O'Connor, C Mcgunnigle, H Wildy, G Neylon

Education Conference Papers

A collaborative research project between the Schools of Education at the University of Notre Dame Australia and the University of Western Australia has produced data that looks at how the Australian Early Years Framework is experienced in practice within Schools that deliver programmes for two year old children in the Perth Metropolitan area of Western Australia.

The data of this project was analysed and prepared for academic journal publication using the very themes upon which the AEYLF is built; Identity, Connection to the world, Wellbeing, Confident Learning and Effective Communication. Papers presenting the data within these themes are a central …