Audrey Cooke

Seeking a Balance: Helping Pre-Service Teachers Develop Positive Attitudes towards Mathematics as They Develop Competency

Mathematical competence of teachers continues to be an issue of great interest to mathematics educators within tertiary institutions and it is often thought of simultaneously with the notion of mathematics anxiety. While there has been considerable recent research into the latter, no clear conclusions have been able to be drawn about many aspects of the phenomenon and how it is linked to mathematical competence. Most recently, international studies have highlighted notable differences in the standards of teacher preparation in different countries and in Australia new standards for accreditation of teacher education programs have been drafted. This paper reports on a part of on-going research into mathematics anxiety and competence of pre-service teachers. It uses two small samples of pre-service teachers from different cohorts of a Bachelor of Education course and attempts to identify factors that may help develop positive attitudes towards mathematics as they seek to develop their competency in mathematics. In addition, as a response to greater reported levels of anxiety regarding cognitive and knowledge traits, the paper identifies targeted professional learning and social constructivist teaching as key factors as well as the need to identify personal knowledge of mathematics as a prelude to seeking to become more competent.

Challenges, Reforms, and Learning in Initial Teacher Education

This critical review of Australasian research concerns initial teacher education published in the period 2012–2015. The contribution to the field is organised into four broad areas: (a) research on teacher preparation: accountability, effectiveness, and policies; (b) research on teacher preparation for the knowledge society, which forms the bulk of the reviewed research; (c) research on teacher preparation for diversity; and (d) research focused on the work of teacher educators. Situated within educational settings that are undergoing continuous change and politicised attention, we note, in particular, research efforts to critically explore, design, and trial pedagogies, tasks, and partnerships associated with occasioning productive learning opportunities for prospective teachers to learn both the knowledge and the core practices of ambitious teaching.

Self-Regulation of Learning and Preference for Written versus Audio-Recorded Feedback by Distance Education Students.

Abstract Teacher feedback is critically related to student learning. This study sought to determine the relationships between distance education (DE) student level of self-regulated learning (SRL) and their preference for audio-recorded vs. written feedback from tutors. DE students (n = 102) enrolled in a first-year university course completed an online questionnaire that assessed eight dimensions of SRL as well as a personal evaluation of written vs. audio-recorded tutor feedback that was provided during the academic study period. In general, the participating DE students expressed preference for written over audio-recorded feedback. However, complex patterns of relationships emerged between dimensions of SRL and evaluation of written vs. audio-recorded feedback. For example, DE students who were most likely to listen to audio-recorded feedback appreciated peer interaction and personal challenges more than students who preferred written feedback. In DE learning environments, a variety of feedback formats may best meet the needs of all students, although exposure to various technologies may facilitate SRL.

Early Childhood Educators’ Issues and Perspectives in Mathematics Education

This chapter presents an overview of the contributions in TSG 1: Early Childhood Mathematics Education at ICME-13 which focused on issues from the perspective of early childhood educators. A basic assumption of this chapter is that the opportunities for young children to develop mathematical understandings and skills are influenced by several conditions at a macro, meso and micro level. First, curricula provide a framework for early mathematics teaching and learning with varying expectations (by teachers) about what can occur in the pre-school environment—informal learning (such as through play), content to learn and activities to experience. Second, early childhood educators’ mathematical knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, understandings, beliefs, and perceptions influence how they enact these expectations. These competencies can be developed and supported by professional learning. Third, educational programs, resources and activities used in the pre-school environment impact on the mathematical opportunities children engage in at the micro level.