Scottish Mathematical Council 2007 Mathematics Conference

Important information for applicants

You can download the application form here.

Applications are limited to 3 per school to allow more schools to participate. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS as this will delay your allocation of places.

Please sent a cheque for £45 (£10 for students) along with your application form. It is NOT possible to accept applications without the conference fee.

No invoices will be sent.

Receipt of the conference fee will book your place, and confirmation will be sent.

Fees are non-returnable other than in exceptional circumstances.

Cheques should be made payable to "SMC Conference 2007"

John Tease
Education Servicese
Lindsay Housee
South Bridge Streete
Bathgatee
EH48 1TSe

Any other enquiries please use email Email: john.tease@westlothian.gov.uk

Keynote address
David Burghes
(Director, Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching)

David has taught mathematics for Year 1 through to degree level and is dedicated to supporting teachers to enhance their teaching of mathematics. This session will discuss strategies for enhanced teaching of mathematics, based on international research. David will make recommendations for both effective teaching of mathematics and professional development based on professional sharing good practice.

Programme
0830--0930 Registration and Coffee
0940--1020 Keynote Address
1030--1120 Talks/Workshops/Discussion Groups
1125--1215 Talks/Workshops/Discussion Groups
1215--1405 Lunch 1 and Publisher's Presentation
1410--1505 Talks/Workshop/Discussion Groups
1510--1600 Talks/Workshops/Discussion Group
1600 Depart: Tea and Coffee available

Publisher's Exhibition
The Publisher's Exhibition will be mounted between 0830 and 1400. In addition to the Publisher's Exhibition, there will be short presentations by some publishers of new resources currently on release. The purpose of this is to allow those attending the Conference to find out up-to-the-minute information about the new resources, in some cases from the authors.

Lunch
Lunch will be served in three sittings to reduce queuing. Times and tickets will be given on the day. There will be presentations by publishers during the lunch break.

Talks/Workshops/Discussion Groups

• A. Concept Cartoons in maths.
  Do you want to ensure that pupils are successful at maths and also develop the ability to think? Are you convinced about the value of assessment for learning but unsure about how to implement it in your teaching? If so, this session is for you. It explains how thinking, learning and assessment can be integrated in maths lessons using an innovative teaching approach called 'concept cartoons'. Teachers have an opportunity to explore a range of examples and consider how they might build concept cartoons into their teaching.
  John Dabell
• B. INSPIREmaths! - How to Creatively Engage Your Pupils' Full Attention!
  Following on from last years three fully booked sessions, 'Dr Mark' is back again with this lively, entertaining and UPDATED presentation, with lots of new material. As before, it is full of numerous intriguing and engaging (and fun!) activities, investigations, 'tricks' and other 'novel' ideas for teaching a variety of mathematical concepts and knowledge, as well as for stimulating and developing pupils' creative thinking, problem solving, reasoning and communication skills. Especially suitable for S1-S2/3, though many examples are adaptable for S4 and beyond. Whether you attended last years' session or not, you're in for a treat!
  Dr Mark Biddis
• C. Experiencing ACE within mathematics
  Developing lesson ideas that allow pupils to experience the principles of A Curriculum for Excellence. This session will look at possible ways of devising lesson ideas that will allow pupils to experience the principles of ACE ~ relevance, challenge and enjoyment, depth etc.
  Joe McLaughlin, National Development Officer
• D. What makes a significant difference to lower attaining students in mainstream maths classrooms?
  In our research project we watched closely ten teachers who set out to do that, and found very little common practice at first. But when we probed more deeply, we found common underlying principles at work which can be taken up and adapted to any context. In my talk I will give you direct experience of these and show how closely they relate to the heart of mathematics.
  Dr Anne Watson, Oxford University
• E. Problem Solving and Powerpoint
  Using powerpoint as a tool for individual work rather than as presentations; using Excel to allow pupils to self test and receive a personalised report on their performance; using excel to provide interactive problem solving situations.
  Eddie Mullan, Galashields HS
• F. Rabbiting On
  A foray into the world of the Fibonacci numbers to look at a few of the many mathematical problems where they arise naturally. There's much more to them than those breeding rabbits!
  Prof Adam Macbride, University of Strathclyde
• G. Enterprising Mathematics Teaching
  How can maths teachers feasibly change individual lessons and, in time their teaching style to follow more enterprising teaching methods and so generate the Curriculum for Excellence capacities?
  Roderick Fleming, Probationer, Wick HS
• H. Interactive sessions on the Whiteboard
  The interactive whiteboard team at Keele have been researching the use of interactive whiteboards in secondary mathematics teaching for the last six years. Our most recent report for the Secondary National Strategy in England suggests that although many teachers make progress using interactive whiteboards many teachers tend not to use the interactive capabilities of the interactive whiteboards, instead rely on presentation style resources. In this session these issues will be considered and examples provided of how to make sessions more interactive.
  Dave Miller, Keele University
• I. Developing Algebraic Thinking
  The essence of algebraic thinking lies in experiencing and expressing generality, whether inside a curriculum topic or when tackling problems. Participants will be invited to experience this at their own level and to consider pedagogical and didactic strategies which support and promote algebraic thinking. Most of the ideas will be taken from the book Developing Thinking in Algebra (Sage).
  John Mason, OU
• J. Developing Geometric Thinking
  The essence of geometric thinking lies in recognising, imagining and expressing geometric relationships, whether inside a curriculum topic or when tackling problems. Participants will be invited to experience this at their own level and to consider pedagogical and didactic strategies which support and promote geometric thinking. The structure of attention is likely to figure in discussions about teaching reasoning. Many of the ideas will be taken from the book Developing Geometric Thinking (Sage).
  John Mason, OU
• K. S1 Numeracy Day
  The purpose of the day is to bring S1 pupils of all levels and abilities together in the pursuit of the true meaning of numeracy and the links between maths and many other subjects within the curriculum. The day will discuss team building, problem solving and presentation skills in addition to achieving many 5-14 targets.
  Geraldine Collins, Lochend Community High School
• L. "Maths has never been so much fun."
  50 mins of miscellaneous items from the Murderous Maths books including flexagons, magic squares, strange number facts, tricks, amazing number predictions and so on. All items are selected to provide amusement and provoke interest in numeracy. TES wrote: "A stand-up maths routine has teachers in fits of laughter...
  Kjartan Poskitt
• M. Numerical Approaches to Topics in Mathematics.
  This session explores how some simple numerical investigations can be used to introduce more complex areas in mathematics and act as a justification for results. Areas to be included: Magic Squares to naming quadrilaterals and symmetry. Number Cells to introducing a variable and solving equations. Italian Multiplication to expanding brackets. Football Scores to simultaneous equations. etc. Delegates will receive copies of the Numerical Investigations and skeleton lesson plans for extending to more complex areas of mathematics.
  John Halliday, Bathgate Acad.
• N. Higher Mathematics/Intermediate 2 Revision CDs.
  These are Powerpoint applications with full interactive capability, suitable for independent study or whole class revision. Ideal exam practice for SQA presentation: Covers Higher Mathematics Units 1,2 and 3, & Int2 Mathematics Units 1,2,3 and Applications. Easy to use with user friendly menu. Excellent preparation for the final exam. The CD's will be provided free, courtesy of Study Support, Education and Cultural Services, West Lothian, Council.
  John Halliday, Bathgate Acad
• O. SQA marking at Higher Level
  An opportunity to find out about the marking of higher maths scripts, and learn about how to deal with some errors.
  David Gilmour, Linlithgow Acad
• P. Supporting students to success in Standard Grade.
  Session will cover F, G and C levels will include feedback from the last diet of exams.
  Mary Kay, Hyndland Secondary School
• Q. Advanced Higher Mathematics
  Content will relate to my thoughts on where pupils could improve with the help of reorganisation of the delivery of the course and consolidation of key skills. Session will also promote AH in terms of where the content is used in University courses.
  Christine Curran, University of Strathclyde
• R. Surviving the Probation Year
  Interactive session exploring expectations, support, classroom management techniques and effective teaching practices.
  Kevin Smith (ICHS), Greg McDowell (St Kentigern’s Acad)
• S. Engaging Pupils in their Mathematics:
  One department's experiences in motivating and engaging pupils in their Maths education with a view to increasing both enjoyment in the Maths class and attainment.
  Colleagues from St Andrew's HS, Clydebank
• T. Edinburgh Transition Planners
  How the schools have used the new City of Edinburgh planners to improve the P7 to S1 transition in their cluster?
  Zack Sweeney, Tynecastle HS & Laura Monaghan (Cluster Secondee, Stenhouse Primary School)
• U. Taking an Enterprise Approach in Mathematics
  This practical workshop will be delivered by South Lanarkshire's Subject Champions in Mathematics - experienced teachers who have put together a selection of subject-specific ideas, approaches and projects to enable the classroom practitioner to adopt a more enterprising approach to learning and teaching in classroom. The workshop will look at enterprising events, challenges, in-class and homework activities, along with World of Work information to promote Maths.
  Denise McFarlane, Lanark Grammar School, Jennifer Simmons, John Ogilvie High School
• V. What makes a good question?
  Questions which are worth asking will challenge pupils to think and talk about their ideas. This session will look at a range of ways to reframe traditional recall questions as open questions, which will generate discussion and involve pupils in their learning. You will also be encouraged to consider using simple interactive resources as an alternative to textbook exercises to support learning wherever possible.
  Sheona Goodall, Numeracy Development Officer for Fife Council
• W. Travels with my whiteboard
  Darren has been teaching with an interactive whiteboard for five years now. Come and hear his perspectives on what works best in class - and why PowerPoint isn't the way forward.
  Darren McKinnon, The Royal High School
• X. Strategies for Developing Algebraic Skills
  For over twenty years Principal Examiner/Assessor reports have regularly identified poor algebraic skills as a continuing area of concern. Many teachers would argue that difficulties with algebra represent a major obstacle to the future progress of a child's mathematical education. This workshop will suggest some everyday strategies that teachers can use to help address the above concerns.
  Gerry Doyle, Glasgow University
• Y. Catering for the able maths student
  Trying to cater for able pupils in every lesson is a real challenge and one which provides rich rewards for both students and teachers. Hear how one department is attempting to meet this challenge and about the strategies and resources being used.
  Andy Thomson, Dornoch Academy
• Z. Using games to make Maths more Fun!
  How can we make maths fun in the secondary classroom, while still keeping to the curriculum. If you missed this over-subscribed and popular session last year, you have a second chance! Annette will be re-running this hands-on workshop, where you will get to have a go at her award-winning games, as well as others. Annette is a practising secondary teacher, lead practitioner for innovative teaching in maths and teacher trainer.
  Annette Glatter, Forrest School, Wokingham
• α. More games and activities to make maths Fun!
  Annette is a practising secondary teacher, lead practitioner for innovative teaching in maths, and teacher trainer. She has also spent seven years developing an award-winning compendium of games that are marketed nationally. Come to this hands-on workshop, where there will be more games, activities and resources for you to be able to use in your own classrooms. (This session further develops last year's sessions and is different from session Z above)
  Annette Glatter, Forrest School, Wokingham
• β. Shape transformations
  The dynamic geometry software "Euclidraw" is used to demonstrate how special linkages and combinations of linkages can be used to reproduce the familiar transformations of shapes: Reflection, Translation, Rotation, Enlargement, or indeed, combinations of these. Some basic theory will be given, most of which will be aimed at Advanced Higher or above.
  Mark Dabbs, Wakefield Girls HS
• φ. Developing Numeracy
  Uncovering children’s mental strategies involves finding out how they solve number problems. In doing so, teachers gain a deeper understanding of the progressive development of strategy and knowledge of number. In this workshop we will share our experience in developing mental strategies in Moray schools.
  Ken Lowson, Learning and Teaching Officer, The Moray Council
• λ. Improving mathematics as part of our journey to excellence.
  Maureen McKenna, HMIe
• θ. New H Mathematics 'Objective Testing' paper
  New Higher Format 2008: Details of the layout of the new format of the Higher Mathematics Paper from 2008, which will include an objective test section.
  Jim Reid Bishopbriggs HS & Clive Chambers SQA
• π. Proof In Mathematics
  The idea of proof in Mathematics seems to have been lost in current Mathematics courses, where pupils are simply given results and expected to remember them. What can we do to help pupils to make connections in Mathematics and develop the idea of proof? This talk will examine some of the issues and give some insights into how it can be developed within the classroom.
  Jim Reid Bishopbriggs HS & Clive Chambers SQA
• *. Is there an alternative to accelerating able pupils through the curriculum?
  In this session we will look at strategies and resources which encourage mathematical thinking in all our pupils but which are especially engaging for the most able.
  Lynne McClure, Consultant