October 2008
Thursday 30 October 2008
BBC Radio 4, Marcus du Sautoy wants us to love science and maths
Mathematcian Marcus Du Sautoy was on Radio 4 today discussing his new appointment; the prestigious Simonyi professorship for the public understanding of science from Oxford University. He wants to make maths and science more accessible to a wider portion of the public. He will endeavor to open up subjects that he sees as both fascinating and beautiful and also essential to our future and will aim to break down the fear that some people have of maths.
Go to the BBC Radio 4 website where you can listen again to the Today programme and try out Marcus' maths quiz... good luck.
Listen to the Guardian podcast interview with Marcus du Sautoy on the subject.
Monday 6 October 2008
BBC Radio 4, The Learning Curve – Understanding the Score
The recent Ofsted report Mathematics – Understanding the Score - is a study based on evidence from inspections of mathematics between April 2005 and December 2007 in 192 maintained schools in England. Teaching was found to be good or better in just over half of the lessons surveyed.
However, although there’s been a steady improvement in test and examination results, the report found the emphasis on routine exercises and “teaching to the test” style that’s common in many schools, leaves pupils ill-equipped for further study because they lack understanding of the subject. Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent have just launched a joint course which offers a shorter route to a teaching qualification in mathematics.
The three year programme will lead to a BSc (Hons) degree in Mathematics with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and Qualified Teacher Status. Libby Purves speaks to Tony Gardiner, Reader in Maths and Maths Education at the University of Birmingham; and to Dr. John Moss, Dean of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University.
To listen to the programme again go to the The Learning Curve section of the BBC Radio 4 website. then click on the 'listen again' link in the top right hand corner. The relevant part of the programme starts at 4:25.
Monday 5 October 2008
Every Child Counts Research Phase Report is now out
We are absolutely delighted with the Report on the Research Phase of Every Child Counts. Highlights include:
“Particularly strong impact was achieved by the multi-sensory teaching approach. (p2)”
‘Standardised score gain per lesson available’ was the highest of all interventions (see Impact headlines table, under ‘Evidence Base’)
The only authority where the overall gains were higher, was LA ‘A’ – who taught the children for 50% more sessions. Their difference in gains is not 50% higher. (See table 3)
Numicon and the multisensory approach were included (at the last minute!) in the research phase even though Numicon is, as Sir Peter Williams correctly identified in his Report,
“a Wave 1 material, which is used in wave 3 interventions” (p.79).
We hope that these findings, added to the growing body of evidence suggesting that Numicon has a real impact on both pupils enjoyment of maths and their achievement in maths, will help to increase the use of Numicon both in Intervention and Quality First teaching. BUT please remember that “there is no magic in the plastic; it’s what you do with it that counts”, which is why we provide a range of Training and Support options. Watch an 8 min video Introduction to the Numicon Approach.
Monday 5 October 2008
NEW BBC SERIES! The Story of Maths with Marcus du Sautoy
Finally the BBC release a series dedicated to Maths! The first part of this exciting new Four-part series about the history of mathematics was aired on Monday 6th October on BBC 4. Click here to be taken to the BBC iPlayer website where you can watch the first part in full.
After showing how fundamental mathematics is to our lives, du Sautoy explores the mathematics of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.
In Egypt, he uncovers use of a decimal system based on ten fingers of the hand, while in former Mesopotamia he discovers that the way we tell the time today is based on the Babylonian Base 60 number system.
In Greece, he looks at the contributions of some of the giants of mathematics including Plato, Euclid, Archimedes and Pythagoras, who is credited with beginning the transformation of mathematics from a tool for counting into the analytical subject we know today.
Click here to be taken to the BBC iPlayer website where you can watch the first part in full.
