HOW PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BECOME CODE-BREAKERS OF INFORMATION GRAPHICS IN MATHEMATICS. A numerate individual can interpret mathematical information that is organised and presented in graphics, such as diagrams, charts, tables, graphs, and maps. Despite the proliferation of these information graphics and the recognition that the primary years provide the foundations for numeracy, there is negligible research on how the ability to decode graphics develops. This project investigates how primary ....HOW PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BECOME CODE-BREAKERS OF INFORMATION GRAPHICS IN MATHEMATICS. A numerate individual can interpret mathematical information that is organised and presented in graphics, such as diagrams, charts, tables, graphs, and maps. Despite the proliferation of these information graphics and the recognition that the primary years provide the foundations for numeracy, there is negligible research on how the ability to decode graphics develops. This project investigates how primary students become ?code-breakers? of the information graphics that underpin mathematics by monitoring the development of their knowledge of information graphics. The visual focus of this project will contribute fundamental knowledge necessary to achieve the national and international goals of a numerate populace.Read moreRead less
A Longitudinal Study of the Development of Primary Students' Knowledge About the Properties of Spatially-Oriented Diagrams in Mathematics. Diagrams are important tools for the solution of novel (non-routine) problems and the organization of data because they integrate information in ways that facilitate reasoning. Diagrams also underpin many technological applications (E.g., hyperlinks on web-pages from a "network"). Ground-breaking research in the US with adults has identified the properties ....A Longitudinal Study of the Development of Primary Students' Knowledge About the Properties of Spatially-Oriented Diagrams in Mathematics. Diagrams are important tools for the solution of novel (non-routine) problems and the organization of data because they integrate information in ways that facilitate reasoning. Diagrams also underpin many technological applications (E.g., hyperlinks on web-pages from a "network"). Ground-breaking research in the US with adults has identified the properties of general-purpose diagrams (networks, matrices, hierarchies). These properties constitute the "building blocks" of diagrammatic knowledge - like grammar in language. This study investigates children's knowledge of the properties of diagrams and the formation of this fundamental knowledge. The outcomes will enhance 21st century mathematical literacy, guide curriculum development, and inform teacher education.Read moreRead less
Mathematics in the digital age: Reframing learning opportunities for disadvantaged Indigenous and rural students. This project offers considerable scope for revisioning mathematics curriculum for our most disadvantaged students, as they come to terms with learning in a digital age. Moreover, it will provide opportunities for Indigenous students, and other disadvantaged cohorts, to have improved access to digital technologies that have the potential to enhance their mathematical understandings. T ....Mathematics in the digital age: Reframing learning opportunities for disadvantaged Indigenous and rural students. This project offers considerable scope for revisioning mathematics curriculum for our most disadvantaged students, as they come to terms with learning in a digital age. Moreover, it will provide opportunities for Indigenous students, and other disadvantaged cohorts, to have improved access to digital technologies that have the potential to enhance their mathematical understandings. The project will inform policy makers about the economic viability of investing in digital resources that have the potential to enhance mathematics outcomes, and thus contribute to the national endeavour of reducing the gap between these disadvantaged cohorts and other children across Australia.Read moreRead less
Improving Numeracy Outcomes and Mathematics Capability: Understanding Young Students' Interpretation of Graphics. Informed participation in society and economic prosperity depends on a mathematically proficient populace ALL of whom are able to interpret common mathematical graphics and SOME of whom are able to interpret advanced graphics. The project benefits include (1) an INSTRUMENT to measure graphic knowledge, (2) THEORIES that explain how knowledge of graphics develops in young students and ....Improving Numeracy Outcomes and Mathematics Capability: Understanding Young Students' Interpretation of Graphics. Informed participation in society and economic prosperity depends on a mathematically proficient populace ALL of whom are able to interpret common mathematical graphics and SOME of whom are able to interpret advanced graphics. The project benefits include (1) an INSTRUMENT to measure graphic knowledge, (2) THEORIES that explain how knowledge of graphics develops in young students and difficulties that they experience in interpreting graphics, (3) improved GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS leadership by the CIs in cutting edge graphics research and publications, and (4) a HIGH QUALITY TRAINING ENVIRONMENT environment for two PhD students as part of the CIs' research team.
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Providing the Mathematical Foundation for an Innovative Australia within Reform Based Learning Environments. The focus of this project is the pedagogical change that The Review of Teaching and Teacher Education indicates must take place in order to lay the quantitative foundations for advancing innovation, science, technology, and mathematics, while satisfying the requirements of a reform-based learning environment. Professional learning directed at teachers' pedagogical content knowledge and be ....Providing the Mathematical Foundation for an Innovative Australia within Reform Based Learning Environments. The focus of this project is the pedagogical change that The Review of Teaching and Teacher Education indicates must take place in order to lay the quantitative foundations for advancing innovation, science, technology, and mathematics, while satisfying the requirements of a reform-based learning environment. Professional learning directed at teachers' pedagogical content knowledge and belief structures with respect to mathematics within an environment of curricular change, will be evaluated in evidence-based terms related to teacher change and student outcomes. Significance includes the context, the middle school years in rural district schools, and the influence of technology on pedagogy.Read moreRead less
Longitudinal change for teachers and students in relation to professional learning in statistics education. There is a growing need in Australia's information society for statistically literate citizens, and for more young people to choose to continue their study of statistics past school. The evidence-based research outcomes for both teachers and students in this study, based on an innovative professional learning program catering for individual requirements of teachers, will provide a model fo ....Longitudinal change for teachers and students in relation to professional learning in statistics education. There is a growing need in Australia's information society for statistically literate citizens, and for more young people to choose to continue their study of statistics past school. The evidence-based research outcomes for both teachers and students in this study, based on an innovative professional learning program catering for individual requirements of teachers, will provide a model for industries and education systems to follow in reaching these goals. Further, each of the three collaborating industries will participate in research-based investigations into the benefits of its contributions to enhancing teacher and student outcomes in relation to statistics at the school level.Read moreRead less
Statistical Literacy for the Twenty-first Century: A Consolidated Model of Understanding for Application to Learning in Context. The overall aim of this project is to achieve a complete developmental model of school students? understanding of the concepts required to participate as statistically literate members of society. Australia is now an information- and data-driven society and to achieve its goals economically, scientifically, and socially, it requires citizens who can make decisions base ....Statistical Literacy for the Twenty-first Century: A Consolidated Model of Understanding for Application to Learning in Context. The overall aim of this project is to achieve a complete developmental model of school students? understanding of the concepts required to participate as statistically literate members of society. Australia is now an information- and data-driven society and to achieve its goals economically, scientifically, and socially, it requires citizens who can make decisions based on appropriate quantitative understanding. A major component of this is statistical literacy. The outcomes of this project based on the theoretical model will include assessment instruments, recommendations for the school curriculum, and trialed learning materials and technologies shown to contribute to understanding, for classroom use.Read moreRead less
Inquiry Teaching in Mathematics: Accelerating the process of change. Inquiry-based learning in mathematics immerses students in solving authentic, complex problems. As a nation, Australia spends too much time on repetitive, isolated procedural problems which inhibit creativity and higher-order thinking and contribute to the sharp decline in student interest in studying mathematics. Research has shown that teachers require support over time to become proficient in engaging students in inquiry of ....Inquiry Teaching in Mathematics: Accelerating the process of change. Inquiry-based learning in mathematics immerses students in solving authentic, complex problems. As a nation, Australia spends too much time on repetitive, isolated procedural problems which inhibit creativity and higher-order thinking and contribute to the sharp decline in student interest in studying mathematics. Research has shown that teachers require support over time to become proficient in engaging students in inquiry of real-life problems. This study expands successful longitudinal research on teachers' adoption of inquiry methods in mathematics and works to study ways to accelerate the process of developing teachers' confidence and expertise in teaching mathematics with inquiry. Read moreRead less
Developing a Conceptual Understanding of the Measurement of Length, Area and Volume: Studies of Learning and Teaching. Early numeracy is a priority for the New South Wales Department of Education, which has recently developed a very successful, research-based program for teaching number concepts. The production of a similar program for teaching measurement has been assisted by the recent development of a Framework for Learning Measurement but held back by a lack of research on the validity of t ....Developing a Conceptual Understanding of the Measurement of Length, Area and Volume: Studies of Learning and Teaching. Early numeracy is a priority for the New South Wales Department of Education, which has recently developed a very successful, research-based program for teaching number concepts. The production of a similar program for teaching measurement has been assisted by the recent development of a Framework for Learning Measurement but held back by a lack of research on the validity of that framework. This project will provide the needed research base by studying how students' understanding of measurement concepts develops between Years 1 and 4 and by investigating the effectiveness of teaching based on the Framework. Read moreRead less
Mathematical Modelling in Early Education. This study is about enhancing children's and teachers' capacities to engage in basic mathematical modelling, which lays the foundation for working with complex systems. New and innovative learning experiences will provide all children with future-oriented mathematical understandings and social skills that are essential for effective participation in a knowledge-based society, but are underrepresented in current curricula. A new research approach, multil ....Mathematical Modelling in Early Education. This study is about enhancing children's and teachers' capacities to engage in basic mathematical modelling, which lays the foundation for working with complex systems. New and innovative learning experiences will provide all children with future-oriented mathematical understandings and social skills that are essential for effective participation in a knowledge-based society, but are underrepresented in current curricula. A new research approach, multilevel collaboration, will be adopted involving children, teachers, research students, and researchers in an international learning community. The outcomes will include explanatory models of children's and teachers' modelling developments, the training of new research scholars, the documentation of innovative curriculum, and advancements in teacher education.Read moreRead less