Mathematics learning area news

Check in here regularly for news related to subjects in the Mathematics learning area.

Free webinars for early career and returning P-10 Mathematics teachers

27 February 2020

The QCAA is pleased to offer a series of webinars exploring the intent and structure of each of the eight P–10 Australian Curriculum (AC) learning areas including Mathematics.

For teachers beginning their careers, or returning to the Mathematics classroom, these webinars provide an opportunity to:

• investigate important features that support alignment of curriculum with classroom practice
• gain confidence in applying the common language of the curriculum to plan successful teaching and learning programs
• identify and unpack the cognitive verbs in the P–10 Australian Curriculum
• explore the selection and use of relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving, and critical and creative thinking.

This professional development activity has relevance to elements of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: two, three and six. In particular these webinars align with the following APST Focus areas:

• 2.2 Content selection and organisation
• 2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting
• 3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
• 3.3 Use teaching strategies.

Webinars for Mathematics are on Thursday 5 March and Thursday 12 March.

For more information and to register for these free webinars please visit the QCAA PD and Events page.

Numeracy workshops: Data literacy and interpretation of graphical representations in Years 7–10

21 February 2020

Collecting, presenting, analysing and evaluating data feature in the curriculum content of most learning areas and are essential skills for investigation, inquiry and research.

State-wide trends in Queensland’s 2019 NAPLAN data show secondary students need additional support to strengthen their knowledge of data literacy and interpretation of graphical representations. The QCAA has created a numeracy workshop that uses current data trends to support teachers in enhancing students’ ability to investigate and make connections through the proficiency strands.

Who should attend:

• secondary teachers
• curriculum leaders
• numeracy coaches
• learning support staff.

View the PD & events section for more information about, and to register for, the workshops.

Heads of Department Networking forums

3 February 2020

To support schools to implement the new Mathematics syllabuses, the QCAA is inviting Heads of Department to networking forums across the state, starting in February.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• discuss approaches to implementation of the 2019 syllabuses
• develop and maintain collegial relationships with other Heads of Department
• strengthen local professional networks
• share ideas about best practice.

Places at each venue are limited so we ask that schools send only one Head of Department for the Mathematics Learning Area.

For those who cannot attend in person, the QCAA is also hosting a webinar in March.

To register, please discuss with your school’s Principal’s delegate.

Preparing for endorsement event 2

15 January 2020

Schools are reminded that submissions for the second endorsement event are due by 5.00pm on Friday 31 January 2020. Assessments must be submitted via the Endorsement application in the QCAA Portal.

The QCAA has developed a wide range of resources to help schools develop and submit assessment for endorsement. These can be accessed via the QCAA Portal > Noticeboard > Developing and submitting assessment for endorsement — support resources. They include a resource for schools on the lessons learned from the first endorsement event.

Subject specific information is also available via the QCAA Portal > Syllabuses application. Select the Units 3 and 4 tab to access the endorsement submission information and quality assurance tools for each instrument.

Top tips for getting assessment endorsed

• Alignment: Ensure assessment instruments match syllabus topics, subject matter, and assessment objectives or specifications.
• Authenticity: Ensure assessment instruments are constructed so that students have an opportunity to provide unique responses. QCAA-developed sample assessments are in the public domain and cannot be submitted by schools for endorsement.
• Scope and scale: Be aware of the syllabus conditions (word length and time) to ensure that students can complete the assessment in sufficient depth to demonstrate the range of performance levels. Consider whether qualifiers such as ‘thorough’ or ‘concise’ analysis can be demonstrated within the word length or time constraint.
• Language: Use language that is clear, direct and accessible to students. Proofread to ensure there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.

Key contacts

• Endorsement application access and user roles: email clientservices@qcaa.qld.edu.au or phone (07) 3864 0278.
• Using the endorsement application: email qau@qcaa.qld.edu.au, or phone (07) 3864 0375 or (07) 3120 6150.
• Subject-specific knowledge or instrument/item construction: contact the relevant learning area.

Mathematics PD at Emerald, Longreach and Roma in January 2020

27 November 2019

The QCAA is providing free professional development activities for all schools (from Prep to Year 12) in Emerald, Longreach and Roma areas in January 2020.

Covering curriculum and assessment topics across all schooling levels, QCAA staff will be presenting on, and discussing, Australian Curriculum and QCE system planning and quality assurance.

Sessions on the QCE system will include English-specific syllabus conversations, as well as information about endorsement and confirmation processes.

Full program and registration

• Emerald (Thursday 23 January)
• Longreach (Friday 24 January)
• Roma (Thursday 23 January).

Webinar Essential Mathematics: Preparing Unit 4 assessment for endorsement Monday 2 December

24 November 2019

Unit 4 assessment instruments (IA3 and IA4) must be submitted for endorsement by 31 January 2020. To support schools to implement curriculum and assessment for Essential Mathematics, QCAA is offering a free professional development webinar on summative assessments in the syllabus.

In this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to engage with practical advice and ask questions about developing the Unit 4 assessment instruments (IA3 and IA4) to be submitted for endorsement by 31 January 2020.

This webinar covers:

• syllabus requirements for Unit 4
• relevant resources available on the QCAA Portal.

Who should attend:

• Essential Mathematics teachers
• Heads of Departments — Mathematics.

Participants will further develop their knowledge and understanding of the following topics in relation to Unit 4 assessment (IA3 and IA4):

• the attributes of quality assessment
• how to use the quality assurance tool
• learnings from Endorsement event 1

Dates: Monday 2 December
Time: 3:10 pm for 3:20 pm – 4:30 pm
Code: WESM10
Register here.

Mathematical Methods sample external assessment video resources

16 December 2019

There are four videos available on the Casio website that show a combination of calculator and ‘by hand’ approaches to completing the Mathematical Methods sample assessment 2020 Paper 2 — Technology-active.

The videos, which step through answers 1–20, may be of interest to teachers and/or students using the sample assessments.

PIEFA Food, Fibre and Foliage Education Roadshow

8 October 2019

The Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) will present The Food, Fibre and Foliage Education Roadshow on 7 November at the RNA Showgrounds.

Themed ‘Primary STEM Integration Secondary Technology’, the roadshow will include presentations from:

• Julie King (ACARA Technologies specialist)
• Tim Gentle (Farm VR)
• Kim Bryceron (UQ) (augmented reality/mixed reality apps)
• John Mason (ACS Distance Education and the Australian Garden Society)
• Chantelle Sansness (QCAA).

The roadshow will be relevant to educators who teach Australian Curriculum Science, Technologies, and Mathematics, as well as the QCAA Sciences, Technologies, and Mathematics syllabuses.

For more information, visit the PIEFA website.

STEM PD opportunities for teachers in Townsville and Cairns

9 September 2019

JCU’s College of Science and Engineering is holding free Experience STEM teacher workshops in Townsville (12 October) and Cairns (19 October).

Workshops address subject matter from new senior syllabuses such as Mathematics Methods, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth & Environmental Science, Psychology, Agricultural Practices and Aquatic Practices. For more information, go to the workshop page.

State library research resources

9 September 2019

The state library provides access to a research librarian who can:

• assist you with identifying and searching resources for your topic
• if appropriate, refer you to other resources or organisations to find what you need
• research your topic for up to one hour free of charge (with a maximum of six enquiries per calendar year per client). They will provide a response within 10 working days.

For more information, visit the State Library of Queensland website.

Work in the QCAA Mathematics learning area

5 September 2019

The QCAA is advertising multiple permanent full-time vacancies for Principal Education Officers, including in the Mathematics learning area. Applications close on 24 September 2019. Visit Smart jobs and careers for details on how to apply.

Mathematics and Science regional Queensland roadshows and conference

4 September 2019

Academics from The University of Queensland’s School of Mathematics and Physics will be running professional development roadshows in regional Queensland to support teachers in developing their understanding of subject matter in the new QCE system syllabuses:

• Physics
• Mathematical Methods
• Specialist Mathematics.

Covering quantum theory and the standard model, statistics and open consultation, and proofs and matrices, respectively, the roadshows will be held at host schools in Gladstone, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.

The QAMT state conference will also be held in Rockhampton around the same time.

View the roadshow page and flyer and conference website to find out more information about, or register for, the roadshows and/or conference.

Applications open for the CSIRO 2019 Indigenous Stem Awards

4 September 2019

Applications for the CSIRO 2019 Indigenous STEM Awards are open from 2 September 2019 to 27 September 2019.

There are a 12 awards spanning seven categories including: high school and undergraduate students, STEM professionals, schools, teachers and mentors.

Visit the 2019 STEM Awards website for more information about the awards and how to nominate students, teachers, mentors and schools who may be suitable.

Professional development opportunities in Term 3

18 July 2019

Developing mathematics assessments in the Endorsement app webinars

The QCAA will present two webinars on developing mathematics assessments in the Endorsement app ahead of the first endorsement event to be held in August 2019.

These webinars will focus on constructing assessments using the Endorsement app, including how to approach constructing an examination, using the equation editor, attaching stimulus/scaffolding such as the PSMT flowchart, formatting tables, and ensuring images are high resolution. The webinars will be hosted using Blackboard Collaborate and held at the following times:

• Friday 26 July: 9:00 am – 10:00 am (Registration code: WDMA10)
• Friday 26 July: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Registration code: WDMA102)

For more information or to register for either webinar, go to: Developing mathematics assessments in the Endorsement app.

Mathematics Head of Department (HOD) forums

During Term 3, the QCAA will host forums for Mathematics HODs to:

• discuss endorsement processes and mock external assessments
• examine approaches to implementation of the 2019 syllabuses
• share ideas about best practice
• network with other HODs.

The table below contains details of the forums. HODs should contact their local QCAA district coordinator to register.