MathsTalk by AMSI Schools

Host Claire Embregts grabs a cuppa with AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon to talk about the importance of the equals sign in Mathematics. We chat about the common misconceptions behind the equals sign and what teachers can do to avoid or rectify these misconceptions. Much of our discussion centres around a presentation from Max Stephens at the MERGA conference in 2006, a paper from which can be found here. https://merga.net.au/Public/Publications/Annual_Conference_Proceedings/2006_MERGA_CP.aspx Find more at www.Calculate.org.au

Hosts Leanne McMahon and Michael O’Connor are joined by Mike Clapper, former Executive Director and Chief Mathematician at the Australian Mathematics Trust, to talk about geometry and its importance in the Australian Curriculum. We cover everything from why we teach geometry and how to develop geometric reasoning in our students to packing your car boot on camping holidays. Mike has kindly provided some accompanying episode notes which will be available to download through our www.calculate.org.au website along with some links to other related resources.

Have you ever felt the urge to dip your toe in the murky waters of Twitter? In this episode, host, Leanne McMahon talks to Outreach Officer Cass Lowry about how to get started on Twitter and how it can be used as a part of your professional learning. We look at setting up your account, lurking, liking and finally getting involved in Twitter Chats - Especially ours! #MathsTalk 8pm AEST every Thursday. If you'd like further information, drop us an email at [email protected] or get onto our website www.calculate.org.au. Check out the following resources: Teachers on Twitter – Why you should join and how to get started: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2017/apr/20/teachers-on-twitter-why-join-get-started-social-media EduTwitter Chats #TLAPdownunder – Sunday 8pm AEST #aussieED – Sunday 8.30pm AEST #MathsTalk – Thursday 8pm AEST #PrimarySTEMChat – Thursday 8.30pm AEST #whatisschool – Friday 9am AEST Tips for managing a fast-paced Twitter chat (Craig Kemp): http://mrkempnz.com/2015/02/5-tips-for-managing-a-fast-paced-twitter-chat.html Why you should switch from Twitter to Tweetdeck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q1dKe891pw

Host, Marcus Garrett talks to two members of the AMSI Outreach team, Cass Lowry and Michael O'Connor about the important proficiency of reasoning and how we can develop this in students of all ages, from pre-primary to later secondary. Contact us if you have comments or suggestions. [email protected] Head to www.Calculate.org.au for resources, links, further information and to give feedback.

Dealing with Misconceptions in Geometry This is the first episode in Series 4 for MathsTalk, in Term 3 of 2020 and in this series, we are focusing on Geometry. Host, Leanne McMahon chats with 2018 CHOOSEMATHS Teacher Award winner Sheila Griffin and fellow AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Anna Bock, about common student - and sometimes teacher - misconceptions in Geometry. We discuss how they can be tackled in the maths classroom in ways that engage students and really encourage them to think. Head to www.Calculate.org.au for resources and links

Special guest Dr Catherine Attard discusses her latest blog post with AMSI Outreach Officers Marcus Garrett and Leanne McMahon. In a spirited conversation, they look at how teachers and parents can discern between good and not-so-great mathematics resources in this time of information overload. They also discuss effective use of technology in Mathematics, the difference between performing and learning in maths and what 'home-schooling' really means. Podcast notes and resources can be found at www.calculate.org.au. Catherine's Blog can be found at https://engagingmaths.com/ Other Links discussed in the episode: Attard, C. (2020), Teaching maths in challenging times: Keep calm and remain critical! Blog post on Engaging Maths. Retrieved from https://engagingmaths.com/2020/03/18/teaching-maths-in-challenging-times-keep-calm-and-remain-critical/. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2010, Mathematics Proficiencies. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/mathematics-proficiencies/. Boaler, J. (1996), Case Studies of Alternative Approaches to Mathematics Teaching: Situated Cognition, Sex and Setting. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Kings College School of Education, University of London, UK. Retrieved from https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2934023/DX199706.pdf. Garrett, M. (2016), The Problem with Problem Solving. Blog article on Calculate by AMSI. Retrieved from https://calculate.org.au/2016/04/13/problem-with-problem-solving/. Website: Joel Speranza – Leveraging Technology for Learning. www.joelsperanza.com. YouTube Channel: Joel Speranza Math. https://www.youtube.com/c/JoelSperanzaMath/featured Link to Dr Attard’s Research Project, ‘Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on teachers' technology-related attitudes, beliefs and practices’ (call for survey participants): https://surveyswesternsydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6AmgoLh1N7ZDktn

This episode looks at the importance of developing number sense in small children and how this can be done by both teachers and parents. Hosts Leanne McMahon and Marcus Garrett speak with AMSI CHOOSEMATHS award winner, Sarah Rose from the Hunter Valley in NSW. Sarah shares her early experiences with Maths and how these have shaped her attitude to Maths teaching now. She gives some great ideas for the development of number sense in children from babies to later primary years. All resources are listed on the AMSI Schools site, www.calculate.org.au Comment or contact us on Twitter @AMSISchools, join us for the #MathsTalk every Thursday night at 8pm AEST or fill in the form on the podcast page https://calculate.org.au/mathstalk-podcast/ Please excuse the recording quality. It was a very early attempt at Zoom and we are ironing out a few bugs.

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne and Marcus chat to recent CHOOSEMATHS Schools Outreach Officer and current secondary mathematics teacher Jacinta Blencowe about why allowing students to talk about their mathematical working and understanding is such a critical element in their maths education. They discuss the ways in which parents and teachers can develop children’s mathematical language and vocabulary and also provide some practical tips, resources and strategies for encouraging useful and productive discourse around mathematical working and problem solving.

Host, Leanne McMahon introduces her fellow Outreach Officers from AMSI Schools and asks them what is their go-to Mathematics activity for children at home. We cover ages 5-16 and give some fun, practical tips for making Maths interesting and relevant for your house-bound mini mathematicians. See www.calculate.org.au for links and information

In this Episode, Marcus Garrett speaks with mathematics education guru Michael Minas about using maths games and activities to engage students during home based learning, precipitated by the Covid-19 crisis during which most Australian classrooms are operating via distance learning. Michael provides parents, caregivers and teachers with both encouragement and some great, practical tips about how to engage - and focus - children and young people during this challenging time. Please note that due to remote recording under the sudden circumstances of work-from-home arrangements during the Covid-19 crisis, the recording sound quality for this and last episode is not to our usual standard. We are working on gaining access to equipment to ensure future from-home recordings are at the best sound quality possible. Thanks for your understanding.

In our special 'Social Isolation' Episode, Host, Marcus Garrett, talks to AMSI Schools Program Manager and CHOOSEMATHS Project Director, Janine Sprakel about what we should be doing to help children of all ages with their Mathematics at home. We look at the expectations on parents at this crazy time and how to manage them. We then examine some of the fantastic resources, ideas and games that can be found on the Calculate website (https://calculate.org.au/) and on other websites from around the world. Learn how to enjoy this time with your children, with tips to find curriculum-linked games and activities, all designed to increase confidence and joy in students, parents and teachers alike.

In a special episode to celebrate International Maths Day, host Leanne McMahon talks to AMSI CHOOSEMATHS award winners Elizabeth Dewar and Ryan Jellie. We discuss the changes that they've made to the teaching of Maths at Boneo Primary School and how these changes have affected their students. AMSI Outreach Officer Marcus Garrett joins Leanne in a road trip to Boneo to talk to the students and hear about their interpretation of 'Maths is everywhere.'

Host Leanne McMahon talks to AMSI Schools Manager Janine Sprakel and Outreach Officer Marcus Garrett about the features of a good Maths lesson. We look at the structure, content, delivery and context of lessons and how to plan for a sensational learning experience with your students. Join the conversation on @AMSIschools Twitter.

In the first Mathstalk series of the year, the AMSI team looks at starting the year in Mathematics. From setting up your classroom with resources, planning and delivering the best Maths lessons you can, to our favourite games, warmups and fun routines. In today's episode, host Marcus Garrett talks to AMSI Outreach Officers Cass Lowry (primary) and Leanne McMahon (secondary) about what Maths Classrooms need. They discuss must-have manipulatives in both primary and secondary classrooms and also look at On-line resources and Text books.

Host Leanne McMahon chats to AMSI Schools Outreach Officers Nadia Abdelal and Marcus Garrett about multiplication in this final episode in the Multiplication Matters series. They talk everything arrays, how they connect to vertical algorithms as well as why they are important in algebraic expansion and factorisation.

Hosts Marcus Garrett and Nadia Abdelal continue the discussion with Outreach Officer Helen Booth on the teaching of fractions and decimals. This episode focuses on the five fractional constructs and the importance of delivering these in a more conceptual way.

Host Nadia Abdelal and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon delve further into multiplicative concepts, with a focus on the pedagogical progressions. They chat about the importance of subitising and how this developmental milestone paves the way for successful multiplicative development.

Host Marcus Garrett and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Helen Booth discuss the difficulties that students have with learning fractions and decimals, how this can impact learning and ways to address these.

Host Marcus Garrett and AMSI Schools Outreach Officer Leanne McMahon discuss the difference between ‘knowing multiplication facts’ and ‘multiplicative thinking’. They chat about the developmental sequence of multiplication-related concepts from the early years through to the middle years in the Australian maths curriculum.