Keynote Lectures

Opening Keynote Lecture for all participants

Mathematical Modelling in School – Examples and Experiences
By Professor Gabriele Kaiser, University of Hamburg, Germany

Abstract: The lecture will start with a description of the recent international discussion about modelling in mathematics education, describing different perspectives on modelling around the world. Furthermore the concept of modelling competencies is described and different facets of this concept are elaborated. Afterwards, the lecture will describe various attempts for establishing modelling examples in school teaching. It will be reported amongst others about joint modelling projects with future teachers in school.
The contribution will present selected modelling examples that have been worked out:

• Optimal positioning of rescue helicopters
• Radiotherapy planning for cancer patients
• Calculation of optimal fishing quota
• Share price forecast
• Number of people in a traffic jam
• Financial losses by fare dodging in the public subway
• Costs and savings by the usage of energy-efficient lamps
• Endangering of toddlers in heated cars

Some of the students’ solving attempts will be presented for selected modelling example including the students’ reaction to it. Finally, experiences with modelling examples in school will be described.

Keynote Lectures for Secondary School and Junior College Teachers

Implementing Applications and Modelling in Secondary School: Issues for Teaching and Learning
By Dr Gloria Stillman, University of Melbourne, Australia

Abstract: One method of engaging secondary students in mathematics classes is through taking a real world modelling approach to the teaching of mathematics, beginning in the lower years (Years 7/8/9) and developing students’ modelling abilities into the senior secondary years. Of interest in this process is how teachers craft lessons and manage task sequences over time, during one year level and over several years and year levels of schooling, in order to facilitate students’ progress. This talk will address some of the issues teachers may face as they seek to implement applications and modelling within the Singapore Syllabus framework. The purpose is to reflect on approaches used in Australia and to see what lessons can be learnt from these experiences for the Singapore context. Both the teacher moves and the students’ moves in this process will be examined. Specifically, the talk will focus on the nature of modelling and modelling tasks and how these differ from other types of tasks commonly used in secondary schools. Examples will be given of what teachers could expect students to be able to achieve by participating in mathematical modelling and how teachers might facilitate this. Finally issues related to the assessment of student work will be addressed

Using ICT for applications of mathematics
By Mr Barry Kissane, Dean School of Education, Murdoch University, Western Australia

Abstract: The past two decades have seen remarkable changes in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) available to students, teachers and schools; these changes together suggest that a 21st century mathematics curriculum should be substantially different from curricula of earlier times, and in particular should attend to the development of expertise with appropriate ICTs as part of the tools of the mathematical trade for all students. Applications of mathematics can be supported by ICT in a range of ways, including representing real-world situations, collecting and analysing data, representing mathematical models and undertaking computation. This presentation will provide examples of a range of ways in which ICT use by students can contribute to their understanding of and competence in applying mathematics to real world situations. The technologies used will include a variety of calculators, computer software and the Internet.

Keynote Lectures for Primary School Teachers

Models and modelling in mathematics at the primary level
By Dr Jaguthsing Dindyal, national Institute of Education, Singapore

Abstract: The local mathematics curriculum at the primary level highlights mathematical modelling as an important process for formulating and improving a mathematical model to represent and solve real-world problems. The Model Method that has been traditionally emphasised in the teaching and learning of mathematics at the primary level is quite specific for solving certain types of problems, providing a limited aspect of the use of a model and the modelling process. In this talk, I focus on a broader view of the use of models and the modelling process at the primary level using some illustrative examples that goes beyond the use of the Model Method.

Using ICT for applications of mathematics
By Mr Barry Kissane, Dean School of Education, Murdoch University, Western Australia

Abstract: The past two decades have seen remarkable changes in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) available to students, teachers and schools; these changes together suggest that a 21st century mathematics curriculum should be substantially different from curricula of earlier times, and in particular should attend to the development of expertise with appropriate ICTs as part of the tools of the mathematical trade for all students. Applications of mathematics can be supported by ICT in a range of ways, including representing real-world situations, collecting and analysing data, representing mathematical models and undertaking computation. This presentation will provide examples of a range of ways in which ICT use by students can contribute to their understanding of and competence in applying mathematics to real world situations. The technologies used will include a variety of calculators, computer software and the Internet.