Education transforms lives and communities. I work with students, teachers and professionals to create excellent conditions for learning - particularly at scale.
roceedings of the Proceedings of the 41st Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2017
This paper investigates the importance of self-efficacy in learning tertiary mathematics using qu... more This paper investigates the importance of self-efficacy in learning tertiary mathematics using quantitative measures. In line with Bandura's (1997) theoretical framework of self-efficacy, multiple regression data show that metacognitive selfefficacy (Self-belief in using cognitive, motivational, selection processes and Selfbelief for self-regulated learning) are key predictors of success in learning mathematics. Further results reveal a positive correlation between self-efficacy in problem-solving and mathematics results. Therefore, an important point for tertiary practitioners to consider is to introduce these ways of developing self-efficacy in mathematics curriculum and student support in accord with the theory of selfefficacy.
In this paper, we explore the issues around diagnostic testing of first year students in mathemat... more In this paper, we explore the issues around diagnostic testing of first year students in mathematics and give an example of the use of such a test in a large first year subject. We compare the scores on the diagnostic test with the end of semester results for 2005. Opinions and insights from students and staff were also collected using open-ended surveys.
This paper describes how a large Australian university implemented a new curriculum management to... more This paper describes how a large Australian university implemented a new curriculum management tool UNITS. UNITS is an online repository of unit guides and a curriculum mapping tool. We analyze the advantages of using a university-wide curriculum management tool and the change management processes used to develop the bespoke tool. Staff development in the use of the tool has led to more thoughtful use of learning and teaching activities and better linking of learning outcomes with assessment. To ensure a smooth transition, faculty were supported throughout the process of implementation. Drop-in clinics, video clips, discipline-specific implementation guides as well as a UNITS help page were provided. This paper contributes to the understanding of the challenges in setting up and implementing a large-scale curriculum management tool in a university. Challenges including increased workload, intellectual property concerns, impact on academic freedom and technological issues are discussed.
Lectures remain the lynchpin of mathematics teaching at university even with advances in informat... more Lectures remain the lynchpin of mathematics teaching at university even with advances in information technology and access to the internet. This paper examines the requirements for learning mathematics and shows how important it is for lecturers to be aware of the different modes of presentation they are using. We consider ways to assist students to make the connections between different representations with particular reference to students whose first language is not English.
This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the role and functionality of emotions in fee... more This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the role and functionality of emotions in feedback. In-depth interview data from students and lecturers at an Australian university are analysed using cognitive appraisal and prototype theory. Results suggest that students experience a range of positive and negative emotions in feedback contexts which function to address both achievement and relational concerns. Practical implications are identified.
Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Limite... more Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Limited, an initiative of the Australian Government. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
This paper presents results of an investigation exploring the experience and functionality of pos... more This paper presents results of an investigation exploring the experience and functionality of positive feelings and emotions in learning and teaching. The role of emotions in learning is receiving increasing attention; however, few studies have researched how university students and academics experience and perceive positive emotions. A prototype approach to emotion measurement is used to analyse interview data of students and lecturers at an Australian university. Themes associated with five positive emotions are explored and student and lecturer views compared.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review research and strategies in Australian business ed... more Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review research and strategies in Australian business education that aim to foster graduate capabilities in sustainability concepts and practices, also to present a case study of teaching practice along with ideas for future development. Design/methodology/approach -The authors report on a research project by seven Australian universities, with financial support from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC), on how to develop and grade graduate capabilities with sustainability identified as a core graduate skill. An example is presented from the Faculty of Business and Economics of a strategy in action -the use of a case study (centred on sustainability practices at the university) to enhance the skills of merit scholars. Findings -Corporate social responsibility is a well-established concept in business management theory, with sustainability principles emerging as a core feature. In the higher education sector, the spirit may be willing, but training in the application of these principles has been implemented as an add-on rather than an embedded part of the curriculum. Although efforts are being made to find ways of nurturing graduate capabilities in sustainability practice, a significant obstacle is the lack of teaching models and materials. The authors offer findings from the ALTC graduate skills project as well as a case study of implementation. Originality/value -The authors report on practical innovations in fostering business graduate skills in implementing sustainability principles, assess the utility of current education practice and present some suggestions for future learning and teaching strategies.
... in higher education Natalie Brown University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Natalie.Brown@ ut... more ... in higher education Natalie Brown University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Natalie.Brown@ utas.edu.au Matt Bower Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia [email protected] Jane Skalicky University of Tasmania, Sydney, Australia [email protected] ...
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 2011
Due to the changing nature of learning and teaching in universities, there is a growing need for ... more Due to the changing nature of learning and teaching in universities, there is a growing need for professional development for lecturers and tutors teaching in disciplines in the mathematical sciences. Mathematics teaching staff receive some training in learning and teaching but many of the courses running at university level are not tailored to the mathematical sciences. This article reports on
There is not just one mathematics taught at university level, nor is there one group of students.... more There is not just one mathematics taught at university level, nor is there one group of students. Mathematics is taught differently depending on the discipline and the perceived background of the student. There is engineering mathematics for the students heading towards engineering degrees, life science mathematics for those heading towards biology degrees and so on. This paper considers the phases of transitions that students experience as they embark on a course of study and then go on to professional life. We make inferences about the ways the curriculum should be designed to alleviate the difficulties of these phases as well as to take account of the capabilities that graduates will require in the workplace. It is not only where students are coming from that affects their learning but where they are heading to, in combination with their perceptions of that destination.
We propose a discussion framework for developing creativity as a graduate capability. It begins b... more We propose a discussion framework for developing creativity as a graduate capability. It begins by investigating creativity and its correlation to community of practice principles. This is followed by an analysis of capabilities and the context of creativity within higher education. Finally ...
What do our students do with their mathematics degrees? How do they make the transition to the pr... more What do our students do with their mathematics degrees? How do they make the transition to the professional workforce? This study reports results from in-depth interviews with 18 graduates who have moved into a range of industries. The study is from the perspective of graduates who have graduated within the past five years from five universities. We investigate how they perceive their university study has helped them move into the workforce.
This paper describes an innovative contribution to learning, using Mathematica in an interactive ... more This paper describes an innovative contribution to learning, using Mathematica in an interactive package 1 . Unlike previous approaches which h a v e used Mathematica , there is no need for the student to learn Mathematica, a process which may often obscure the mathematics. Our approach renders the Mathematica completely transparent b y w a y of pre-programming, hyperlinks and buttons. The package takes advantage of Mathematica as the computational engine without the student needing to know a n y Mathematica, making it accessible to beginning university students. We h a v e developed a teaching package in the context of discrete mathematics, but the ideas are applicable to other areas of mathematics.
It is clear that the pre-eminent position of mathematics has been challenged, particularly in Wes... more It is clear that the pre-eminent position of mathematics has been challenged, particularly in Western countries. Its position has been taken over by computing and computer-based technology. Fewer students are studying mathematics at higher levels in secondary schools, due to competition for time in the secondary curriculum. Fewer students are studying mathematics as a major at tertiary level. However the
The last decade has seen a substantial increase in the cultural and academic diversity of commenc... more The last decade has seen a substantial increase in the cultural and academic diversity of commencing tertiary education cohorts. The challenge for mathematics and statistics educators is the development of curriculum measures which address the language related difficulties of language minority students (Cocking & Mestre, 1988) and improve learning outcomes for all students. Our focus in this paper is on enhancing language and communication skills in culturally diverse undergraduate statistics cohorts. Most students have difficulty adjusting to the formal language requirements of academia. Non-English speaking background (NESB) students can have particular difficulty with the reading and assessment demands of Western universities if they are not adequately supported (e.g. Ballard & Clanchy, 1997). This is especially problematic when discrepancies between verbal and written expression and true intellectual ability result in assessment penalties. What is required are curriculum models which focus on what students do as opposed to deficit models which focus on who students are (Biggs, 1999).
roceedings of the Proceedings of the 41st Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2017
This paper investigates the importance of self-efficacy in learning tertiary mathematics using qu... more This paper investigates the importance of self-efficacy in learning tertiary mathematics using quantitative measures. In line with Bandura's (1997) theoretical framework of self-efficacy, multiple regression data show that metacognitive selfefficacy (Self-belief in using cognitive, motivational, selection processes and Selfbelief for self-regulated learning) are key predictors of success in learning mathematics. Further results reveal a positive correlation between self-efficacy in problem-solving and mathematics results. Therefore, an important point for tertiary practitioners to consider is to introduce these ways of developing self-efficacy in mathematics curriculum and student support in accord with the theory of selfefficacy.
In this paper, we explore the issues around diagnostic testing of first year students in mathemat... more In this paper, we explore the issues around diagnostic testing of first year students in mathematics and give an example of the use of such a test in a large first year subject. We compare the scores on the diagnostic test with the end of semester results for 2005. Opinions and insights from students and staff were also collected using open-ended surveys.
This paper describes how a large Australian university implemented a new curriculum management to... more This paper describes how a large Australian university implemented a new curriculum management tool UNITS. UNITS is an online repository of unit guides and a curriculum mapping tool. We analyze the advantages of using a university-wide curriculum management tool and the change management processes used to develop the bespoke tool. Staff development in the use of the tool has led to more thoughtful use of learning and teaching activities and better linking of learning outcomes with assessment. To ensure a smooth transition, faculty were supported throughout the process of implementation. Drop-in clinics, video clips, discipline-specific implementation guides as well as a UNITS help page were provided. This paper contributes to the understanding of the challenges in setting up and implementing a large-scale curriculum management tool in a university. Challenges including increased workload, intellectual property concerns, impact on academic freedom and technological issues are discussed.
Lectures remain the lynchpin of mathematics teaching at university even with advances in informat... more Lectures remain the lynchpin of mathematics teaching at university even with advances in information technology and access to the internet. This paper examines the requirements for learning mathematics and shows how important it is for lecturers to be aware of the different modes of presentation they are using. We consider ways to assist students to make the connections between different representations with particular reference to students whose first language is not English.
This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the role and functionality of emotions in fee... more This paper reports on a qualitative study exploring the role and functionality of emotions in feedback. In-depth interview data from students and lecturers at an Australian university are analysed using cognitive appraisal and prototype theory. Results suggest that students experience a range of positive and negative emotions in feedback contexts which function to address both achievement and relational concerns. Practical implications are identified.
Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Limite... more Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Limited, an initiative of the Australian Government. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
This paper presents results of an investigation exploring the experience and functionality of pos... more This paper presents results of an investigation exploring the experience and functionality of positive feelings and emotions in learning and teaching. The role of emotions in learning is receiving increasing attention; however, few studies have researched how university students and academics experience and perceive positive emotions. A prototype approach to emotion measurement is used to analyse interview data of students and lecturers at an Australian university. Themes associated with five positive emotions are explored and student and lecturer views compared.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review research and strategies in Australian business ed... more Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to review research and strategies in Australian business education that aim to foster graduate capabilities in sustainability concepts and practices, also to present a case study of teaching practice along with ideas for future development. Design/methodology/approach -The authors report on a research project by seven Australian universities, with financial support from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC), on how to develop and grade graduate capabilities with sustainability identified as a core graduate skill. An example is presented from the Faculty of Business and Economics of a strategy in action -the use of a case study (centred on sustainability practices at the university) to enhance the skills of merit scholars. Findings -Corporate social responsibility is a well-established concept in business management theory, with sustainability principles emerging as a core feature. In the higher education sector, the spirit may be willing, but training in the application of these principles has been implemented as an add-on rather than an embedded part of the curriculum. Although efforts are being made to find ways of nurturing graduate capabilities in sustainability practice, a significant obstacle is the lack of teaching models and materials. The authors offer findings from the ALTC graduate skills project as well as a case study of implementation. Originality/value -The authors report on practical innovations in fostering business graduate skills in implementing sustainability principles, assess the utility of current education practice and present some suggestions for future learning and teaching strategies.
... in higher education Natalie Brown University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Natalie.Brown@ ut... more ... in higher education Natalie Brown University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Natalie.Brown@ utas.edu.au Matt Bower Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia [email protected] Jane Skalicky University of Tasmania, Sydney, Australia [email protected] ...
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 2011
Due to the changing nature of learning and teaching in universities, there is a growing need for ... more Due to the changing nature of learning and teaching in universities, there is a growing need for professional development for lecturers and tutors teaching in disciplines in the mathematical sciences. Mathematics teaching staff receive some training in learning and teaching but many of the courses running at university level are not tailored to the mathematical sciences. This article reports on
There is not just one mathematics taught at university level, nor is there one group of students.... more There is not just one mathematics taught at university level, nor is there one group of students. Mathematics is taught differently depending on the discipline and the perceived background of the student. There is engineering mathematics for the students heading towards engineering degrees, life science mathematics for those heading towards biology degrees and so on. This paper considers the phases of transitions that students experience as they embark on a course of study and then go on to professional life. We make inferences about the ways the curriculum should be designed to alleviate the difficulties of these phases as well as to take account of the capabilities that graduates will require in the workplace. It is not only where students are coming from that affects their learning but where they are heading to, in combination with their perceptions of that destination.
We propose a discussion framework for developing creativity as a graduate capability. It begins b... more We propose a discussion framework for developing creativity as a graduate capability. It begins by investigating creativity and its correlation to community of practice principles. This is followed by an analysis of capabilities and the context of creativity within higher education. Finally ...
What do our students do with their mathematics degrees? How do they make the transition to the pr... more What do our students do with their mathematics degrees? How do they make the transition to the professional workforce? This study reports results from in-depth interviews with 18 graduates who have moved into a range of industries. The study is from the perspective of graduates who have graduated within the past five years from five universities. We investigate how they perceive their university study has helped them move into the workforce.
This paper describes an innovative contribution to learning, using Mathematica in an interactive ... more This paper describes an innovative contribution to learning, using Mathematica in an interactive package 1 . Unlike previous approaches which h a v e used Mathematica , there is no need for the student to learn Mathematica, a process which may often obscure the mathematics. Our approach renders the Mathematica completely transparent b y w a y of pre-programming, hyperlinks and buttons. The package takes advantage of Mathematica as the computational engine without the student needing to know a n y Mathematica, making it accessible to beginning university students. We h a v e developed a teaching package in the context of discrete mathematics, but the ideas are applicable to other areas of mathematics.
It is clear that the pre-eminent position of mathematics has been challenged, particularly in Wes... more It is clear that the pre-eminent position of mathematics has been challenged, particularly in Western countries. Its position has been taken over by computing and computer-based technology. Fewer students are studying mathematics at higher levels in secondary schools, due to competition for time in the secondary curriculum. Fewer students are studying mathematics as a major at tertiary level. However the
The last decade has seen a substantial increase in the cultural and academic diversity of commenc... more The last decade has seen a substantial increase in the cultural and academic diversity of commencing tertiary education cohorts. The challenge for mathematics and statistics educators is the development of curriculum measures which address the language related difficulties of language minority students (Cocking & Mestre, 1988) and improve learning outcomes for all students. Our focus in this paper is on enhancing language and communication skills in culturally diverse undergraduate statistics cohorts. Most students have difficulty adjusting to the formal language requirements of academia. Non-English speaking background (NESB) students can have particular difficulty with the reading and assessment demands of Western universities if they are not adequately supported (e.g. Ballard & Clanchy, 1997). This is especially problematic when discrepancies between verbal and written expression and true intellectual ability result in assessment penalties. What is required are curriculum models which focus on what students do as opposed to deficit models which focus on who students are (Biggs, 1999).
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Papers by Leigh N Wood