National effort to improve teaching of mathematics

University of Queensland researcher Associate Professor Diane Donovan has joined forces with colleagues from around the nation to address the problem of adequate numbers of competent math teachers.

The team has been awarded funding of $215,000 over two years from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council to address the shortfall of suitably qualified teachers in mathematical sciences.

"The decline in maths knowledge of high school graduates, and the flow on effect of low numbers of graduating math competent teachers has been evident for some time," Dr Donovan said.

"Queensland is particularly at risk of being unable to supply our schools and professions with properly trained mathematicians.

"We hope this project will improve the teaching and learning outcomes of mathematical sciences that will in time produce better maths teachers at high school."

Dr Donovan is a reader in UQ's School of Mathematics and Physics.

The collaborative team, led by Dr Leigh Wood from Macquarie University and Professor Nalini Joshi, the president of the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS) from the University of Sydney, aims to develop a suitable program of induction and professional development for the Mathematical Sciences in Australia.

She said the professional development system would function to systemically embed knowledge and skills for early to mid career academics and inspire experienced academics to use new ideas.

The project would build capacity for leadership in teaching and learning in the mathematical sciences and in a variety of professions.

Dr Donovan said the team aimed to formalise the program into an ongoing system of education and accreditation in the mathematical communities of practice.

The project is very timely given the recent review commissioned by the Group of Eight universities and headed by Professor Gavin Brown, Director of the new Royal Institution in Adelaide.

The professional development program will produce an Australian-wide unit specifically designed for lecturers and tutors in mathematical sciences.

The program will improve the use of technology and other interactive tools for learning, including teaching methods that are suitable for generation x, y, and that can adapt for different learning styles.

The unit will be disseminated through a range of travelling workshops, a technology–based access grid, inclusion in graduate training programs for tertiary teaching, specific distance learning resources, and a dedicated symposium at the Australian Mathematical Conference.

The team includes Dr Wood; Professor Joshi; Associate Professor Donovan; Dr Birgit Lich from the University of Southern Queensland; Professor Walter R Bloom from Murdoch University; Matt Bower from Macquarie University; and Natalie Brown and Jane Skalicky from University of Tasmania.

Media: Associate Professor Diane Donovan (0407 6445 131 dmd@maths.uq.edu.au) or Lynelle Ross (3346 9935 or l.ross@smp.uq.edu.au)