Free lectures at Coventry University tackle the “Mathematics Problem”…
The state of mathematics education in England and the steps that need to be taken to address problems in maths teaching and learning are being discussed in two free lectures coming up at Coventry University next month.
Duncan Lawson (pictured), Professor of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education at the University and Jane Jones, Ofsted’s National Adviser for Mathematics, will deliver separate talks on the subject on Thursday 21 and Thursday 28 February respectively.
Professor Lawson’s talk forms part of Coventry University’s ongoing series of free professorial lectures, which draw on the expertise of its academics to explore a diverse range of topical issues.
The higher education sector has for several years been aware of the problems that many undergraduates face with mathematics and has responded with a number of programmes to tackle these inadequacies. Most prominent amongst these initiatives has been the development of support centres which offer students the opportunity to develop their skills in the subject.
In 2005, a collaboration between Coventry and Loughborough Universities was designated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England as a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Entitled ‘sigma’, this specialist maths support resource received the Times Higher Award for Outstanding Support for Students in 2011.
But research has shown that demand for the level of support that centres like sigma offer will remain high for the foreseeable future so Professor Lawson’s lecture will cover what has been done and what else needs to happen to address this dilemma.
Professor Lawson explains:
“Many recent reports by prestigious national bodies have highlighted a range of issues in the secondary maths education received by young people in England. As a consequence, a significant number of incoming undergraduates are less than ideally prepared for their studies in higher education. This applies across a wide range of disciplines, not only to those traditionally regarded as being heavily reliant on mathematics such as engineering and science but also to disciplines like biosciences, business and nursing.
“This shortfall in maths proficiency is obviously something that can affect student success at university and the mathematics support that sigma provides aims to help students address this. Recent research has indicated that demand for maths support is not going to go away anytime soon, so in this lecture we will reflect on the extent of the so-called “Mathematics Problem” and outline ways in which sigma is dealing with its effects.”
Jane Jones’ talk will highlight the key findings from the Ofsted report Mathematics: Made to Measure. The report, published in May 2012, draws attention to serious inequalities in pupils’ experiences and achievements and includes examples of best practice that help avoid or overcome these disparities and weaker practice that exacerbates them. Part of Coventry University’s outreach programme, Jane’s talk will emphasise the lessons to be learned from the Ofsted report and as such will be of particular interest to mathematics teachers from primary and secondary schools as well as FE colleges.
Professor Duncan Lawson’s lecture, entitled The State of Mathematics Education in England and What Coventry University Is Doing About It, takes place at 4pm on Thursday 21 February at the TechnoCentre, Coventry University Technology Park. Attendance is free of charge but places must be booked in advance via Coventry University’s Professorial Lecture series webpage.
Messages from Mathematics: Made to Measure and Effective Innovative Approaches to Mathematics Teaching by Jane Jones takes place at 6pm on Thursday 28 February 2013 at the Engineering and Computing Building, Coventry University. A tour of the building is also being offered as part of the event between 5pm and 6pm. Attendance is free of charge but places must be booked in advance by Tuesday 12 February 2013. Places can be booked online.
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Tags: Business Information Portal, Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Coventry University, Duncan Lawson, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Jane Jones, mathematics, Mathematics: Made to Measure, Ofsted, sigma, The BIP, Times Higher Award, West Midlands BIP
