Funded Research Project

Enhancing mathematics achievement and engagement by using technology to support real problem solving and lessons of high cognitive demand

Chief Investigator: Professor Kaye Stacey

Funded by: ARC Linkage Project grant 2004–2006

Project Summary: New technologies have exciting potential to bring real world applications to life in the mathematics classroom. Working collaboratively with researchers, industry-partner teachers will design and evaluate in classrooms and iteratively refine technology-supported tasks that sustain higher-order thinking and deep engagement with the context. Outcomes include guidelines for managing increased cognitive demand and for balancing abstract and concrete aspects of mathematics, so that students are more engaged in their learning. The effects of technology features, including dynamic control of variables and hot-linked representation, will be tested against theory. Substantial cultural diversity in industry partner schools ensures the findings will be widely applicable.