Improving student perceptions of maths: the importance of personal connection with ACER’s Dr Sarah Buckley

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership

This episode is 2 of 3.

Valuing maths positively impacts student learning outcomes and determines whether a student will continue to engage with maths at school and beyond. This episode is hosted by Teaching Excellence Program Master Teacher Emma Moore and features Dr Sarah Buckley from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

This episode covers types of maths (eg., utility value) and discusses research backed ways to improve it. The episode will also introduce a new publicly available information resource for teachers, co-developed by ACER and the Academy. This episode may also be of interest to parents to help support their children develop more positive attitudes towards maths. Resources: https://go.vic.gov.au/3TlxyKX

Time stamps:

(01:36) – MAES (maths anxiety engagement strategy) definition and history.

(03:52) – Motivation definition in MAES and Expectancy value theory.

(07:25) – What is maths utility value?

(12:45) – Intervention in this context.

(14:40) – How to build utility value and use the resources in the notes.

(17:30) – Examples of how to build utility value in a primary and secondary context.

(27:05) – Finding the value in mathematics resource (from the notes).

(30:06) – Presenters key messages.

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.