S2 E8: On bringing effective mathematics practice to life in the classroom

Ready to view mathematics education from a new perspective?In this episode, we are joined on the couch by Catherine Attard, Professor - Mathematics Education, Western Sydney University,  as we reimagine approaches to teaching and learning mathematics. Together, we dive into practical strategies for making it a creative, colourful and engaging subject in the classroom.As a distinguished researcher and leader in the field, Catherine brings a deep passion for helping both teachers and students to develop a positive mindset towards mathematics. We discuss the critical role teachers play in influencing whether students choose to ‘opt in’ or ‘opt out’ of the subject.You’ll hear Catherine challenge the idea of ‘best’ practices in teaching, advocating instead for ‘effective’ or ‘best-fit’ practices. From using fractions in daily chores to spatial awareness in real-world scenarios, tune in for practical examples of how to bring numeracy to life in the classroom.For pre-service teachers, Catherine shares valuable advice on building confidence in mathematics – starting with reflecting on your own relationship with the subject.We hope you enjoy this episode.We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today. Connect with usIf you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be the first to know when new episodes are released.Resources and useful links:Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you.Mathematical Association of NSW (MANSW) - MANSW is an association of teachers of mathematics, dedicated to improving the quality of mathematics education and learning for teachers, educators and students throughout NSW and the wider education community.