Primary numeracy: a review of Australian research

Focuses on a national project that analyzed Australian research on primary school numeracy from 1994 to 2004. Effective teaching methods used in numeracy education; Summary of children's development of specific mathematical concepts; Findings of several researches on primary school probability and statistics, measurement, number, space and equity.

Mathematical games with the alphabet

John Gough once again makes the ordinary fascinating as he piques our curiosity about the origins of the alphabet and turns the various mathematical properties of letters into bases for games.

Mystery and movement: doing more with dominoes

John Gough explains how to turn an ordinary set of dominoes into games of mystery, movement and strategy.

Algebra skills and traps and diagnostic teaching for the future

Explores on some research about teaching and learning algebra and related classroom issues. Diagnostic instruments that may be used by senior secondary teachers in teaching algebra to senior classes; Strategies for remediating algebraic difficulties and misconceptions; Impact of technology on the algebra curriculum; Usefulness of copying algebraic expressions while using Computer Algebra Systems or mathematics processing software in a calculus class.

"Hey, I'm learning this"

The article offers a look at the benefits, as well as the negative impact, of using games in mathematics education. The views of teachers on the benefits of using games in teaching mathematics are explored. Information on the guestimate calculator game is provided. Details of a study on the use of guestimate game on Year 5 and 6 students is presented.

Using the results of diagnostic testing to promote mathematical pedagogical knowledge

Teachers require a range of knowledge bases, including both content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge (Shulman, 1986). In recent times there have been calls from a variety of sources for teacher preparation courses to improve the mathematical knowledge of teachers, particularly primary teachers. These calls have been underlined by the recent formation of bodies such as the Institutes of Teachers in Victoria and NSW, as well as the development of teaching standards by professional bodies including the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers. Rather than simply adopt a "back-to-basics" approach, work is required that uses the results of educational research to design courses that help pre-service students to understand how and why errors are made (by themselves and by children in their own classrooms). Diagnostic testing of preservice students is the first step in the process. However, it is not enough to simply test students and to remediate their misconceptions. Instead, the aim is to use the results of the testing to improve students' pedagogical knowledge as well as their subject content knowledge. This paper outlines one approach to the use of diagnostic testing with pre-service students and how the results can be used to assist in the development of pedagogical knowledge.

How small is a billionth?

The article presents some practical approaches for conceptualizing very small numbers. It presents a linear model, an area model, and a volume model of a billionth. It also presents several diagrams to represent billionths. It explains why the terms big, small, and large are not technical terms in mathematics.

Diversions

The article focuses on the mathematical games developed based on the polyomino shapes created by American mathematician Solomon Golomb. It details the mechanics of the pentomino game created by Golomb. The spatial thinking strategy board games Cathedral and Blokus were also based on the families of shapes and the idea of Golomb's game. Information on how to play the Blokus games is given.

Logic games

Discusses innovations on logic games which will develop the problem solving and spatial thinking of students. Variations of existing logic games; Description of the innovated games; Advice on introducing logic games to students.

Doing it with dominoes

Discusses the use of domino game in teaching mathematics. Mechanics of the scoring system for the game; Variants of the game; Conceptualizing domino games.

Make a game or adapt a game

Provides an idea on how to devise a mathematical game for primary students. Requirement of an effective mathematical game; Design of the game; Criteria for judging.