PROJECT AIMS:
The purpose of this project was to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics across all year levels. The project began with a teacher survey, which further refined the project aims.
The survey particularly asked teachers:
*how they cater for differentiation to ensure all children are learning to the best of their ability
*their use of manipulatives and digital technologies for their instruction in mathematics.
While 100% of the teachers said they used computers for mathematics teaching, there was a shortfall in other technological devices that could be used to enhance teaching and learning, specifically the Interactive Whiteboards, digital cameras and IPads.
As the IPads are new to the school, the use of these devices should increase over time. 88.9% of the teachers identified that technology was a good resource to support learning in mathematics, therefore, one focus for this grant will be to increase the teacher’s capacity to use a variety of technology in their mathematics teaching- particularly to utilize the Interactive Whiteboards to their full potential.
When asked about how teachers differentiated learning in their classroom, there seemed to be an over-reliance on school officer support. 44.4% of the teachers identified that using differentiation in mathematics was difficult, but worth trying. Funding from this grant will therefore go towards employing an expert to give Professional Development to teachers around the topic of differentiated learning. This will incorporate group work, as 22.2% of the teachers indicated that group work was too difficult or
unmanageable in their current classroom.
Teachers were asked about what type of Professional Development they would like in these areas. Some ideas they suggested were-
*being exposed to different methods of differentiation
*becoming more proficient in the use of technologies to support differentiation
*focusing on how to utilize school officers more effectively in classrooms.
These areas will be addressed throughout the year through Professional Development sessions. Teachers will also be encouraged to network with other schools in the diocese to experience how other schools address the issue of differentiated learning effectively.
*how they cater for differentiation to ensure all children are learning to the best of their ability
*their use of manipulatives and digital technologies for their instruction in mathematics.
While 100% of the teachers said they used computers for mathematics teaching, there was a shortfall in other technological devices that could be used to enhance teaching and learning, specifically the Interactive Whiteboards, digital cameras and IPads.
As the IPads are new to the school, the use of these devices should increase over time. 88.9% of the teachers identified that technology was a good resource to support learning in mathematics, therefore, one focus for this grant will be to increase the teacher’s capacity to use a variety of technology in their mathematics teaching- particularly to utilize the Interactive Whiteboards to their full potential.
When asked about how teachers differentiated learning in their classroom, there seemed to be an over-reliance on school officer support. 44.4% of the teachers identified that using differentiation in mathematics was difficult, but worth trying. Funding from this grant will therefore go towards employing an expert to give Professional Development to teachers around the topic of differentiated learning. This will incorporate group work, as 22.2% of the teachers indicated that group work was too difficult or
unmanageable in their current classroom.
Teachers were asked about what type of Professional Development they would like in these areas. Some ideas they suggested were-
*being exposed to different methods of differentiation
*becoming more proficient in the use of technologies to support differentiation
*focusing on how to utilize school officers more effectively in classrooms.
These areas will be addressed throughout the year through Professional Development sessions. Teachers will also be encouraged to network with other schools in the diocese to experience how other schools address the issue of differentiated learning effectively.