In this paper, the author recommends that every teacher of mathematics should undertake an analysis using their own data. She further recommends that they reflect on the outcomes of their analysis and share it with colleagues. Teachers can look at an individual student's results, variations in results between student sub-groups in their classes,…

In May 2008, the National Assessment Program--Literary and Numeracy (NAPLAN) conducted nation-wide tests for reading, writing, language conventions, and numeracy. A national assessment program of this kind should provide the stimulus for macro-level (systemic) analytical studies and micro-level (individual school and/or class) analytical studies…

The "National Mathematics Curriculum Framing Paper" has been released for consultation until 28 February 2009 (see www.ncb.org.au). Professional associations, teachers, teacher educators and others are taking the opportunity to organise meetings and forums to consider the views presented in the paper and to provide critical feedback and commentary…

Politicians have used the promise of "back to basics in our schools" as an educational platform for some time now, possibly in recognition that this is something the general population perceives as an issue they might just vote for. In the various positions the author has held, both professional and in community service, she has been required to…

According to this author, the solution to the "phonics versus whole language" debate over the teaching of reading is balance and a focus on the needs of all students. There is similarly a need, in developing numerate young people, to focus on the teaching and learning of mathematics and mathematics skills some of the time, and on application and…

In early 2004, Cabrilog released version "II plus" of their interactive geometry package. According to the author, "Cabri Geometry II plus" is clearly a much more useful package than the earlier version. However, unlike other sophisticated applications packages, the designers have avoided creating so many options that secondary students lose their…

Not so long ago, the common response of teachers to high school use of computer algebra systems (CAS) was invariably along the lines of, "What will be left to teach if our students have access to devices which solve, factorise, do calculus and more?" and "If students use such tools, then they will never learn how to do their mathematics, and their…

The history of mathematics is full of rich examples that can help students to see the place of the discipline within our cultural heritage. Valuable as this can be, it also has the unfortunate side-effect of making students think that all the math has already been done and they do not get a sense that the subject is dynamic and growing.…

Education systems around the world are talking about "lifelong learning", "futures", "critical literacies", and so on. What do these things mean in the context of being a teacher of mathematics? In this article, the author attempts to put these things into perspective. She contends that, in clarifying any situation that requires some mathematical…

Responds to the question of how to know whether reforms have an influence on student learning. Discusses the shift in epistemology about the learning of mathematics, systemic notions about schooling, appropriate evidence related to the notion of schooling practices, and assessing mathematics literacy. (Contains 12 references.) (ASK)

Argues that genuine problem solving and investigation on the part of pupils rarely occurs in mathematics classrooms in Hong Kong and other Asian countries. Provides a rationale for drawing problems from the content of a curriculum or syllabus. (DDR)

Discusses whether teachers should teach what they believe to be mathematics, teach the mathematics of students' backgrounds and aspirations, or teach the mathematics they think society expects them to teach. Suggests that teachers define mathematics and share those definitions with students. (DDR)

Attention is called to the apparent widespread misunderstanding of algebraic notation by secondary school students, and how this may arise from some common approaches to teaching algebra to beginners is discussed. (MNS)

This discussion paper stresses the validity and usefulness of a full range of assessment practices as an integral part of the learning and teaching of mathematics. (PK)

Described is the process approach to mathematics which is gaining momentum in primary schools. Included is a discussion of the origin and features of the movement and possible future directions and consequences of its growth. (PK)