News Archive

Visiting scholar Matt Switzer (University of Missouri) captivated the packed house of mathematics educators at UWA’s Graduate School of Education when he presented his research into early learning difficulties experienced by school students. He shared video clips of 6 and 7 year old students struggling with concepts of magnitude, order and representation. His research indicated to teachers in the audience the foundational importance of deep understanding of place value in children’s numeracy development.

Matt’s visit is part of UWA’s 2011 Year of Mathematics. This program of events highlights the growing crisis in mathematics education in Australia – a crisis which impacts directly on our skilled workforce.

Enthusiastic audience participation at Matt’s presentation suggests that UWA has tapped into an urgent need felt by WA math educators. Clearly, teachers are searching for ground-breaking research and effective teaching strategies to lift the quality of the mathematics experience for their students.

Winthrop Professor Helen Wildy, Dean of Education at UWA, is excited about the Year of Mathematics and its program of symposia, seminars and workshops designed to bring together leaders in education, industry and government. Professor Wildy said the year and its activities would be a reminder that never before have we had such an urgent need for more mathematics teachers. “We need them to inspire a new generation of graduates with skills in mathematics and statistics,” Professor Wildy said.

The UWA 2011 Year of Mathematics series of events is designed for a range of audiences including educators, parents, students and industry representatives. Support from all these groups is essential to help promote and embrace the important role of Mathematics in our community.

If you would like further information about UWA’s Year of Mathematics, please contact Rachel on email [email protected] or view https://www.maths.uwa.edu.au/community/year-of-maths