Professional Work
Chance and Data put to the test in NW trials (Review: UniTas #99, 27 May 1996)
Chance and Data put to the test in NW trials
A new part of the school mathematics curriculum is being tested on the
North-West Coast as part of a national trial.
Nine mathematics teachers from six schools in the North-West are participating
in the national trials of a professional development package for teachers of
Chance and Data - the new part of the school mathematics curriculum.
Places in the pilot project were offered to its members (individuals and
schools) by the Mathematical Association of Tasmania. Funded by the Department
of Employment Education and Training and developed by the Australian Association
of Mathematics Teachers, the project is trialling multimedia materials for
teachers and video-conferencing as a means of delivery of professional
development.
Its title is 'Learning the Unlikely at Distance Delivered as an Information
Technology Enterprise'.
With the co-operation of the University of Tasmania, teachers have used the
video-conferencing facilities and computer laboratories at the North-West Centre
at Burnie to participate in fortnightly sessions for 12 weeks led by Dr Jane
Watson, from the Department of Education at Hobart campus.
Teachers from Burnie High, Devonport High, Marist Regional College, Reece High,
St Brendon Shaw College and Ulverstone High have participated in the project.
Sessions have involved activities to assist teachers with the content and its
teaching, practice with software, and discussion of multimedia material used
outside the sessions, including text, video and hypertext.
Dr Watson said that the project was being trialled at seven sites around
Australia. The other places are Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Mt Gambier,
Perth and Townsville.
"Reaction of teachers has been positive at all sites with between two and nine
participants at each. The Burnie group is the largest, due to the support of the
Mathematical Association of Tasmania," Dr Watson said.
"The project has benefited many groups. The University's education department
has gained valuable experience using the video-conferencing facilities. The
Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers has gained from the feedback of
the North-West teachers and the teachers and their schools have gained much in
professional development," Dr Watson said.
The local co-ordinator of the project and Hellyer College teacher Mr Neville
Windsor, said that teachers had benefited from the trial.
"As a new part of the mathematics curriculum, many teachers feel the need for
extra support and these materials cater for almost all needs that teachers of
Chance and Data in grades five to nine can anticipate," he said.
Manager of the North-West Centre, Ms Megan Cavanagh-Russell, said that the
University was pleased to be supporting such a productive activity which linked
North-West Coast people not only to Hobart, but also to a nationwide project of
such importance to mathematics teaching in schools.
"It is hoped that students in the North-West Coast schools will be the ultimate
benefactors," she said.
Contact me...
Faculty of Education
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 66 Hobart Tasmania Australia 7001
Phone: 61-3-6226-2570; Fax: 61-3-6226-2569
Jane.Watson@utas.edu.au