Making maths visible in the Illawarra

May 29, 2007

The inaugural 'Making Maths Visible in the Illawarra' conference was held on Saturday 26 May.

The conference was a collaborative professional development initiative of the University of Wollongong, Department of Education and Training (Illawarra and South East Region) and the Catholic Education Office (Diocese of Wollongong) for primary school mathematics teachers.

Twenty four workshops and presentations were offered covering a variety of learning and teaching experiences across the primary years of schooling.

The keynote address was presented by James Burnett on a topic that addressed how simple visual aids and models should be used to help students form a mind picture that links to the thinking strategy.

Mr Burnett is from the Origo Mathematical Education Resources Company which was the major sponsor for the conference. The company is renowned for creating dynamic classroom materials and professional development for teachers.

Ann Baxter, one of the conference conveners and Lecturer in Mathematics Education at the University of Wollongong, said the conference presented a "wonderful opportunity for collaboration and professional learning across sectors in the area of mathematics education".

The conference delegates included classroom teachers and current University of Wollongong students. The conference officially began on Saturday with an 'Acknowledgement of Country' ceremony conducted by Margaret Simoes, Aboriginal Education Consultant with the NSW Department of Education and Training.