WS 4A: Vocational Maths. What Mathematics do students need? WF 314

Robyn Gandell: Unitec & The University of Auckland

Mathematics at secondary school becomes progressively more abstract from years 9 – 13. However, a large number of students who leave school at the end of Year 13 for vocational courses, apprenticeships or work require less abstract and more applicable mathematics. In this presentation we’ll engage with mathematical problems from vocational courses and discuss some of the common mathematical themes that are useful in more “practical” tertiary programmes.

WS 4B: Mathematics teaching: A beautiful risk? WF 313

Caroline Yoon – The University of Auckland

Gert Biesta, a philosopher of education, warns against the danger of constructivism, which reduces teachers to mere ‘facilitators of student learning’, obscuring the fact that ‘teachers have something to teach’. Rather than viewing teaching as drawing out what is already there, Biesta argues in favour of viewing teaching as the act of bringing something to the educational encounter from the outside. What might this mean for mathematics teaching?

Participants in this workshop will be invited to reflect on the influence of constructivism on their identities as teachers of mathematics. We will also explore ways of participating in what Biesta calls the “beautiful risk” of education within systems that are largely motivated by risk aversion.

At the end of the session, there will be opportunity to ask questions about postgraduate study in mathematics education at the University of Auckland.

WS 4C: Developing mathematical fluency with games and activities WF 303

Dr Nicola Petty, Creative Maths

Number fluency is essential for continuing development in mathematics. Fluency is often associated with speed of recall, whereas it involves conceptual understanding and ability to transfer to other contexts. In this workshop we will examine what fluency is, with insights from research on how to develop them. Participants will also experience a number of games and activities that teachers can use in their classes at all levels.

WS 4D: Traditional teaching: a dead duck? Or are modern learning environments a passing fad?

WF 703

Peter Radonich and co, Northcote College

A debate and a discussion. Featuring perspectives from an Irish trained teacher, a primary to secondary teacher convert, head of department, COL leaders, and the man behind the Maths of the STEM Online NZ resources.

Choose ONE workshop from this group:

4E1: Flipping Y13 Calc using Edpuzzle. Alastair Watt, Western Springs College [please bring a device] WF 711

In this workshop I will be running through how I flipped my Y13 Calculus class using EdPuzzle with an eye on a modern learning environment but originally implemented in a traditional single cell classroom. I will cover how to link EdPuzzle with Google Classroom and some motivation/engagement strategies and problems I have found with this strategy and feedback from the students.

4E2: Extra-Curricular Maths Programme. Vikash Ghoorah, Green Bay High WF 714

What would make a Year 9 student get out of bed at 6.30am on a cold Monday morning to get to Maths Club by 7.30am? A dynamic and exciting Maths club set up to encourage budding mathematicians to pursue their interest in the subject. We have had success this year starting up extra-curricular mathematics programmes outside of the department. The ingredients required to start up a programme is enthusiasm, buckets of enthusiasm and a supportive senior leadership team. Every school is different - we want to show what worked for us and how we can further develop our programmes. This benefits both the students and also grows and develops teacher's own agency in their content knowledge.