Position: Research Assistant - Mathematics Education
Contact information:
e:jlvinc@unimelb.edu.au
t: (03) 8344 8532
Research interests
My research interests include the role of dynamic geometry software and mechanical linkages in stimulating students’ deductive reasoning. Dynamic geometry software such as Cabri Geometry and The Geometer’s Sketchpad allow the user construct geometric figures using tools based on Euclidean geometry (for example, parallel lines or perpendicular bisectors) and to measure lengths and angles in screen figures. A key pedagogical characteristic of the software is that when screen figures are dragged, angle and length measurements are automatically updated, allowing students to recognise invariant properties.
Mechanical linkages form the basis of many common items such as car jacks. The geometry on which their operation depends is usually relatively simple, involving, for example, rhombuses and similar or congruent triangles. The actual linkages, together with real or dynamic geometry models, provide an appropriate context for students in the middle years to explore geometric properties.
Publications
Textbooks (chapter author and series editor)
J. Vincent et al. (2005). MathsWorld 7. South Yarra: Macmillan.
J. Vincent et al. (2005). MathsWorld 8. South Yarra: Macmillan.
J. Vincent et al. (2006). MathsWorld 9. South Yarra: Macmillan.
J. Vincent et al. (2006). MathsWorld 10. South Yarra: Macmillan.
J. Vincent et al. (2006). MathsWorld 7: Teacher edition. South Yarra: Macmillan.
J. Vincent et al. (2006). MathsWorld 8: Teacher edition. South Yarra: Macmillan.
Report
Vincent, J., Steinle, V, & Stephens, M. (2005). Numeracy Research and Development Initiative 2001-2004: An overview of the numeracy projects. Canberra: Commonwwealth of Australia.
Book Chapter
Vincent, J. (2005). Interactive geometry software and mechanical linkages: Scaffolding students’ deductive reasoning. Chapter in W. Masalski, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2005 Yearbook.
Journal Papers
Vincent, J. (2004). The Numeracy Research and Development Iniative Projects. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 9(4), 4 – 9.
Vincent, J., & Vincent, C. (2004). Japanese Temple Geometry. Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, 18(1), 8 – 20.
Vincent, J. (2003). Mathematical Reasoning in a Technological Environment. Informatics in Education. Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, 2(1), 139 – 150.
Vincent, J., & McCrae, B. (2001). Mechanical linkages, dynamic geometry software and mathematical proof. Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, 15(1), 56 – 63.
Vincent, J. (2000, 2003). Shrine to University: A geometry journey along St. Kilda Road and Swanston Street
Kealy, A., & Vincent, J. (2003). Investigative Projects in Engineering: Technologies in Geomatic Engineering: The mathematics behind the global positioning system.
Vincent, J. (In press). Working mathematically: Euclid and the crane driver. In Proceedings of the 43rd Conference of the Mathematical Association of Victoria. Brunswick, Australia: MAV.
Vincent, J. & Chick, H. (2005). Argumentation profile charts as tools for analysing students’ argumentations. In H. Chick & J. Vincent, Proceedings of the 29th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (pp. 281 – 288). Melbourne: PME.
Vincent, J. (2003). A technological environment for promoting mathematical reasoning: A dynamic approach to geometric proof. In A. McDougall, J. Murnane, C. Stacey & C. Dowling (Eds.), ICT and the Teacher of the Future: Selected papers from the International Federation for Information Processing Working Groups 3.1 and 3.3 Working Conference (pp. 123 – 126). Sydney: Australian Computer Society.
Vincent, J. (2003). Federation Square and Storey Hall: Pinwheels, kites and darts. In B. Clarke, A. Bishop, R. Cameron, H. Forgasz & W. T. Seah (Eds.), Making Mathematicians, Proceedings of the 40th Conference of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (pp. 232-241). Brunswick, Australia: MAV.
Vincent, J. (2001). MicroWorlds and early algebra. In H. Chick, K. Stacey, J. Vincent & J. Vincent (Eds.), The Future of the Teaching and Learning of Algebra, Proceedings of the 12th International Commission on Mathematical Instruction Study Conference. Melbourne: University of Melbourne.
Vincent, J. (2001). Dynamic geometry software and mechanical linkages: A visually rich environment for geometric reasoning. In D. Watson & J. Andersen (Eds.), Networking the learner: Computers in education. Copenhagen: Kluwer.
Vincent, J. (2000). Shrine to university: Mathematics in the constructed environment. In J. Wakefield (Ed.), Mathematics: Shaping the future, Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (pp. 25 – 37). Brunswick, Australia: MAV.
Vincent, J., Chick, H., & McCrae, B. (2003). Dynamic geometry software and mechanical linkages: Creating a context for deductive reasoning. In B. Clarke, A. Bishop, R. Cameron, H. Forgasz & W. T. Seah (Eds.), Making Mathematicians, Proceedings of the 40th Conference of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (pp. 516 – 526). Brunswick, Australia: MAV.
Vincent, J., Chick, H., & McCrae, B. (2002). Mechanical linkages as bridges to deductive reasoning: A comparison of two environments. In A. Cockburn & E. Nardi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 26th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 4 (pp. 313 – 320). Norwich, UK: PME.
Vincent, J., & McCrae, B. (2001). Mechanical linkages and the need for proof in secondary school geometry. In M. van den Heuvel-Panhuizen (Ed.), Proceedings of the 25th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 4 (pp. 367 – 374). Utrecht, The Netherlands: PME.
Vincent, J., & McCrae, B. (2000). Mechanical linkages, dynamic geometry software and mathematical proof. In M. Thomas (Ed.), Proceedings of Time 2000: An International Conference on Technology in Mathematics Education (pp. 273-284). Auckland, NZ: University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.
Vincent, J., & McCrae, B. (2000). Dynamic geometry and geometric proof: Can a monkey and a crank teach maths? In J. Wakefield (Ed.), Mathematics: Shaping the future, Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (pp. 94-105). Brunswick, Australia: MAV.
Authorised by Jill Vincent. Maintained by Sara Brimfield
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