Education Commons^™

Designing Effective Feedback For Intelligent Tutoring Systems: Some Psycholinguistic Considerations, Sacha Develle

Dr Sacha DeVelle

No abstract provided.

The Development Of A Single Scale For Mapping Progress In Mathematical Competence, Ross Turner, Gayl O'Connor

Ross Turner

The authors’ intention is to develop a progress map that describes increasing mathematical competence. The main purpose of this chapter is to describe the means by which the research team has been able to use the data from a longitudinal testing program to build and refine a picture of growth in mathematical competence. In this chapter, conceptualisation of the underlying variable to be measured in developing a mathematical progress map is considered, and approaches to its development are discussed. The approach adopted is described and the results of the application of that methodology to the data generated through this research …

Perspectives On Commemoration: Schools In 2014, Jenny Wilkinson

Jenny Wilkinson

No abstract provided.

Allies In Learning: Critical Insights Into The Importance Of Staff-Student Interactions In University Education, Sarah Richardson, Ali Radloff

Ali Radloff

Discussions of the quality of learning in university education often focus on curricula. Less attention is paid to the role of student–staff interactions. In a context in which a host of factors place pressure on the opportunities for students and staff to interact, it is important to use empirical insights to inform decisions about how to optimise learning. This paper uses data from a large survey of students and teaching staff in Australia to suggest that students and staff should be regarded as allies in learning. It investigates student reports to suggest that frequent interactions with those who teach them …

To Rubric Or Not To Rubric: That Is The Question, Amy Kenworthy, George Hrivnak

George Hrivnak

Extract: In conclusion, although there are certainly a number of challenges associated with the effective utilization of rubrics, we agree that rubrics have the potential to be highly useful tools for faculty members to consider using. Our primary contribution to this scholarly discussion is to question the framing of rubrics as something akin to a panacea for assessment issues. They are not. As with any teaching tool, we believe faculty should never be forced to use tools that they are neither committed to nor adequately supported in the use of. Comfort and commitment to using a tool are critical components …

Engaging With Excellence In Mathematics Teaching : Creating Excellence In The Learning Environment, Ray Peck, Hilary Hollingsworth, W Morony

Ray Peck

No abstract provided.

Students In A Digital Age: Some Implications Of Ict For Teaching And Learning, John Ainley, L Enger, Dara Searle

Dr John Ainley

No abstract provided.

The Power To Transform: Leadership That Brings Learning And Schooling To Life, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Stephanie Pace Marshall, Ph.D.

The Power to Transform is a call to re-conceive and re-design schooling. Rather than offer “best practices” or “prescriptive solutions,” it invites leaders of all ages and walks of life to think differently about learning and schooling. It illuminates the “why” and “what” of educational transformation and explores its deepest roots. It offers new language, new design principles, a new framework, and a new map for creating vibrant, imaginative and adaptive learning landscapes that integrate the dynamic properties of living systems with the generative principles of learning. It is from this natural integration that the new story of learning and …

Thinking Critically About Diagrams: A Theoretical Framework For General Diagrammatic Literacy, Brad Jackel

Dr Brad Jackel

Diagrams are used heavily throughout contemporary society, yet there is little guidance for educators on teaching students to think critically about diagrams in general. Because of this there is almost no systematic guidance for learners on how to approach unfamiliar diagrams with some degree of confidence, particularly in terms of their ability to think critically about the visual ‘rhetoric’ of a given diagram. This is a crucial ability to foster in students, given society’s increasing reliance on forms of graphical communication which encourage the use of diagrams (internet, PowerPoint, tablet computing, smart phones) and the decision-making contexts in which diagrams …

Information Literacy In The New Curriculum, Michiel E. Moll

Michiel E Moll

South Africa has undergone major changes in the school curriculum. At the same time, international emphasis on the importance of Information Literacy has found reflections locally in many calls for the development of school libraries (e.g. Arnold, 2002: 178), but has remained a problem in the actual implementation. This is also reflected in initial teacher training which has moved Information Literacy to a skill of the teacher, rather than an essential part of the curriculum that they have to teach.

This paper first looks briefly at the changes in national curricula in South Africa, and then at the current curriculum, …

Towards A Moving School, John Fleming, Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Dr Elizabeth Kleinhenz

Explores how schools become 'moving' schools, with teachers who have high levels of professional accountability, taking personal and collective responsibility for improving students' learning and their own teaching methods.

What Does Teaching Look Like Around The World?, Karen Givvin, Jennifer Jacobs, Hilary Hollingsworth

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

If you could peer into a classroom in a foreign country, what would you see? If you could see multiple lessons from that country, what patterns would emerge? If you could do the same across several countries, how would you further refine your images? The logistics of such an undertaking are formidable and nearly impossible for any single person. However, the authors of this article, as part of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1999 Video Study, were able to participate in the endeavor described above -- albeit via video, rather than in personIf you could peer into …

Does Eighth-Grade Mathematics Teaching In The United States Align With The Nctm Standards? Results From The Timss 1995 And 1999 Video Studies, Jennifer Jacobs, James Hiebert, Karen Givvin, Hilary Hollingsworth, Helen Garner, Diana Wearne

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

Debates about the future of school mathematics in the United States often centre on whether standards-based instruction in improving or undermining students' achievement. Critical for making progress in these debates is information about the actual nature of classroom practice in US classrooms. This article focuses on one key element of classroom practice teaching, and presents the results of two studies of randomly selected, nationally representative US eighth grade mathematics lessons that were videotaped as part of the TIMSS 1995 and 1999 video studies. Analyses compare features of teaching found in these lessons with pedagogical recommendations for middle school teachers in …

Assessing Second Language Writing: The Rater’S Perspective, Tom Lumley

Dr Tom Lumley

This study investigates the process of rating texts written by adult ESL learners. Four experienced raters provided think-aloud protocols describing the rating process for a set of 24 texts. The think-aloud data allowed analysis of the sequence of rating, raters' interpretations of the scoring categories, and difficulties raters faced. The study reveals the complexity of the rating process, whereby raters struggle to resolve a tension between the wordings (or rules) of the rating scale and their complex, initial, intuitive impression of the text. Rating requires training to provide reliable measurement. The study also demonstrates that caution is needed in interpreting …

Engaging With Excellence In Mathematics Teaching : Creating Excellence In The Learning Environment, Ray Peck, Hilary Hollingsworth, W Morony

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

No abstract provided.

Understanding Nuclear Science And Technology, Gayl O'Connor

Gayl O'Connor

No abstract provided.

Curriculum Frameworks And Change, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Looking At Others And Ourselves : What Australian Mathematics Teachers Can Learn From The Timss 1999 Video Study., Hilary Hollingsworth

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

As a tool for studying and improving teaching, video offers tremendous learning opportunities. Videotaped lessons enable teachers to efficiently and effectively 'visit' classrooms not only in their own school, district or country, but also in other countries. Through observing and analysing videotaped lessons teachers can learn about real teaching alternatives as they are actually practised. As part of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1999 Video Study, over 600 mathematics lessons from seven different countries were videotaped and analysed. This paper focuses on what Australian mathematics teachers can learn from the study, and in particular what can be …

What We Can Learn From Timss: Comparison Of Australian And Russian Timss-R Results In Algebra, Alla Routitsky, Susan Zammit

Dr Alla Routitsky

No abstract provided.

Looking For Evidence In The Teaching Of Mathematics, Ray Peck, A Bishop, S Bennett

Ray Peck

The joint Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers AAMT/Monash University project 'Excellence in the teaching of mathematics: professional standards project' has been working with teacher focus groups in four states to try and build a picture of what mathematics teachers believe represents excellent teaching. This paper discusses the second aim of this project: to develop an assessment scheme and protocols for certifying this excellence. Topics discussed are developing ways to assess excellence, looking at an American model of assessment - the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and other models for standards of excellence in teaching.

Improving Teaching: A Case For Cases, Hilary Hollingsworth, David Clarke

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

Other professions make extensive use of the study of cases for professional development. This article points out the particular virtues which a case-based (as opposed to principles- based) approach adds to a comprehensive professional development program.

A Structure For Quality Mathematics Instruction, Hilary Hollingsworth, David Clarke

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

The intention of the authors in this paper is to set out a possible structure by which teachers might incorporate the products of recent curriculum initiatives into their mathematics teaching. They have chosen to focus on Chance and Data as the academic content of their examples.

Numeracy: Essential And A Priority? An Ant's Journey, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper describes the travels of an adult numeracy teacher, through the numeracy terrain of the world of adult basic education and answers the question: is numeracy essential and a priority?

Adult Numeracy Teaching : Making Meaning In Mathematics, Dave Tout, Betty Johnston

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Numeracy On The Line : Language Based Numeracy Activities For Adults, Beth Marr, Chris Anderson, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Developing An Understanding Of Teaching Mathematics: Working With People, Ray Peck

Ray Peck

No abstract provided.

Assessment At Fairhills High School: A Case Study Of The Process Of Change, Marilyn Huber, Elizabeth Hartnell-Young

Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young

Like many schools Fairhills High School uses reports to parents which indicate achievement grades as well as providing a written comment. In 184 discussions began in the English faculty about ways of improving report-writing. Teachers wrote discussion papers and awareness was raised. This was one step on the road to change.