From whiteboard work to random groups, write Tracey Muir and Peter Liljedahl, these simple fixes could get students thinking more in maths lessons Australian students’ performance and engagement in mathematics is an ongoing issue. International studies show Australian students’ mean performance in maths has steadily declined since...
A new study into classroom practices, led by Dr Steve Murphy, has found extensive research fails to uncover how teachers can remedy poor student engagement and perform well in maths. His study shows valuable insights into the role of both teachers and parents in shaping a...
In today's rapidly changing world, mathematics plays a crucial role in our daily lives. Using maths critically allows us to consider complex personal and socio-political issues, such as health, the economy and the environment, says Professor Kim Beswick, Director of the Gonski Institute and Head of the...
Benjamin Zunica, Bronwyn Reid O'Connor and Eddie Woo look at how your child’s maths education might be very different from yours and how parents can help. There is a scene in the film Incredibles 2 where young Dash asks his dad Bob for help with his...
Thomas Britz looks at the children’s puzzle game that harbours a mathematical paradox or two Have you played the puzzle game Tangram? I remember, as a child, being fascinated by how just seven simple wooden triangles and other shapes could offer endless entertainment. Unlike LEGO, the Tangram...
Jayne Kearney finds a way to steer her daughter through the mysteries of multiplication. When I was training to become a teacher, our class was presented with two ways to motivate our future students: extrinsically and intrinsically. Extrinsic motivation is when a child will do something in...
by Julia Collins Many of us could happily fold a paper crane, yet few feel confident solving an equation like x³ – 3 x² – x + 3 = 0, to find a value for x. Both activities, however, share similar skills: precision, the ability to follow an...
