Mathematics education students are experiencing greater confidence in teaching maths in the future, following a recent redesign of three undergraduate courses.
School of Education and Professional Studies mathematics education expert Dr Kevin Larkin undertook the project to evolve the courses in line with the changing style of teaching in both school and the higher education sector.
The mathematics education courses for pre-service primary teachers were redeveloped to be delivered in blended mode, which includes a mixture of online and face-to-face learning.
Dr Larkin says the blended courses have been successful.
“The outcomes of the redesign indicate pre-service teachers exit the courses with not only strong mathematics content knowledge, but also decreased maths anxiety,” he says.
“Our research tracking the performance of the redesigned courses also indicates students experience increased confidence in teaching mathematics through learning a robust framework for how to teach maths to primary school students.
“These outcomes are critical in assisting primary school students to develop a clear understanding of the importance of mathematics for them, and for the economic and social well-being of our society.”
Dr Larkin undertook the two year project in partnership with Australian Catholic University Head of Education Professor Romina Jamieson-Proctor.