Education Commons^™

What International Surveys Tell Us About Australians' Mathematical Foundations, Dave Tout, James Spithill

David (Dave) Tout

This presentation will look at some key messages from the Australian results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), both released at the end of 2013. PISA assessed the mathematical literacy of 15 year-olds around Australia, whilst PIAAC assessed the numeracy proficiency of adults aged 15–74. What do the two surveys assess and are they telling a similar story? How solid are Australia’s mathematical foundations and what do they say about teaching and learning? How do Australia’s results compare internationally with those leading the field? What are some …

Learning Needs Analysis For The Deaf Education Sector, Julie Kos, Marion Meiers, Lawrence Ingvarson

Marion Meiers

The Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI), Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to undertake a project to design, conduct and analyse the learning needs of teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing. The focus of the study was to identify any gap between teachers’ existing skills and knowledge and the skills that are needed to optimise student learning outcomes.

Learning Needs Analysis For The Deaf Education Sector, Julie Kos, Marion Meiers, Lawrence Ingvarson

Dr Julie Kos

The Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI), Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to undertake a project to design, conduct and analyse the learning needs of teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing. The focus of the study was to identify any gap between teachers’ existing skills and knowledge and the skills that are needed to optimise student learning outcomes.

Part 1: Lessons Learnt From International Assessments, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

In the first of two related articles, this article attempts to explain what can be learnt from international assessments of adult literacy and numeracy skills, and why there is value and crucial and important lessons for all educators, and others, from the work underpinning these empirically based research endeavours. Whilst some criticism of the surveys is understandable and to be expected, this often blinds readers and the LLN sector from reading between and behind the lines and seeing what value can be generated, gained and learned from such investigations, data and research. The article describes the theoretical frameworks and quality …

Pisa And The ‘Latest Model’: Can An International Survey Have Anything Useful To Say To Canberra’S Mathematics Teachers?, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

All Is Happening With Numeracy : A New International Survey Of Adults' Numeracy And Mathematics Skill Levels., Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

An international survey of the numeracy abilities of adults was part of the Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALLS) survey conducted in Australia in 2006 and the start of 2007. This paper includes information on the construct behind the numeracy component of the survey, including the complexity scheme that attempts to predict the difficulty of test items, and reports on the initial data from the first wave of countries, highlighting the important role that numeracy plays in both human and social capital terms. First Australian results are due out in late 2007.

Video-Based Reseach Made "Easy" Methodological Lessons Learned From The Timms Video Studies, Jennifer Jacobs, Hilary Hollingsworth, Karen Givvin

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

In this article, the authors share some of the methodological lessons learned from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1995 and TIMSS 1999 Video Studies. They focus on their experiences overseeing these large-scale, video-based, cross-national surveys of teaching. The article documents some of the progress the authors made, as well as some of the obstacles they encountered. The authors hope that the ideas shared here help prevent possible missteps, enhance the quality of projects, and encourage researchers to advance the use of video as a methodology.

Numeracy Up Front : Behind The International Life Skills Survey, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper presents some of the results of the Numeracy Working Group in the International Life Skills Survey (ILSS) and the what the author suggests is a wealth of ideas and concepts that can be of interest to the wider educational sector. The author looks at why numeracy was included in the ILSS and the numeracy framework that was established. Complexity factors, assessment items, results so far and issues, problems and benefits showing up in the survey are discussed.

Graphics Calculators In Victorian Secondary Schools: Teacher Perceptions Of Use, Alla Routitsky

Dr Alla Routitsky

Since Victoria permitted the use of graphics calculators in final external examinations, their use has become quite widespread. A survey of secondary schools undertaken to gauge the response of teachers to these tools, provides information on how teachers view graphics calculator use in secondary mathematics courses.

Numeracy Gets A Guernsey Alongside Literacy, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This article discusses a proposed followup to the International Adult Literacy Survey called the International Life Skills Survey. This will assess performance in four skills domains - prose literacy, document literacy, numeracy and problem solving - and make behavioural reports in teamwork, practical cognition, and information and communication technology. This article looks at the numeracy aspects.

Applications Of Item Response Theory In The Third International Mathematics And Science Study, E Gonzalez, Ray Adams, Marg Wu

Prof Ray Adams

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a survey of mathematics and science achievement sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. With more than 45 participating countries, three target populations, more than thirty languages, 15,000 schools, more than half a million students, TIMSS is the largest and most ambitious international study of educational achievement ever undertaken. Students participating in the assessment were administered one of eight achievement tests that contain items in mathematics and science, using a variety of item formats. As TIMSS is an international study, many audiences will look at the results …