Tertiary Mathematics and Statistics Education
The Mathematics and Statistics Tertiary Education Group (MASTER) at the University of Sydney provides a focus within the School of Mathematics and Statistics for research, seminars and discussion related to the teaching and learning of mathematics and statistics at a tertiary level.
Originally SUTMEG, it was established in 1992.
Research Interests
- A/Prof Leon Poladian collaborates in a wide range of educational projects, with the Mathematics Learning Centre, the School of Education, and colleagues around Australia.
- A/Prof David Easdown contributes towards contemporary theories and models of learning, receiving a NSW Quality Teaching Award in 2010.
- Dr Di Warren is working on the development of statistical literacy in the large first year setting.
- George Papadopoulos is exploring the unique pedagogical strengths and weaknesses of intense course offerings, like Summer School.
Seminars and Conferences
Slides: A/Prof Abelardo Pardo
Recent Publications
Deb King, Leon Poladian., Cristina Varsavsky, Joann Cattlin: Editorial. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23(1), 2015, 1-3.
Leon Poladian: Using the Fujimoto Approximation Technique to Teach Chaos Theory to High School Students, Origami6 II. Technology, Art, Education, Origami, AMS, USA, (2015), 735-744. ISBN 978-1-4704-1876-2
Jackie Nicholas, Leon Poladian, John Mack, Rachel Wilson:
Mathematics preparation for university: entry, pathways and impact on performance in first year science and mathematics subjects, International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23 (2015), no. 1, 37-51.
Rachel Wilson and John Mack: Declines in high school mathematics and science participation: Evidence of students' and future teachers' disengagement with maths, International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22 (2014), no. 7, 350-48.
Yoshitaka Nakakoji, Rachel Wilson and Leon Poladian: Mixed Methods Research on the Nexus Between Mathematics and Science, International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Educatio, 22 (2014), no. 6, 161-176.
David Easdown and Leigh Wood: Novel threshold concepts in the mathematical sciences, Threshold Concepts: from personal practice to communities of practice, Proceedings of the National Academy's Sixth Annual Conference and the Fourth Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference, National Academy's Sixth Annual Conference and the Fourth Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference, Catherine O'Mahony, Avril Buchanan, Mary Rourke and Bettie Higgs (eds.), NAIRTL (Irish National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning), Cork, Ireland, (2014), 44-50. ISBN 978-1-906642-59-4
Jennifer Henderson and Sandra Britton: Issues and trends: a review of Delta conference papers from 1997 to 2011, Shining through the fog - Proceedings of The 9th Delta Conference of teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, The 9th Delta Conference of teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, Deborah King, Birgit Loch, Leanne Rylands (eds.), Delta, International Delta Steering Committee, Melbourne, Australia, (2013), 50-58. ISBN 978-1-74108-289-0
Leon Poladian, Jackie Nicholas: Mathematics bridging courses and success in first year calculus, The 9th Delta Conference of teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, The 9th Delta Conference of teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, Deborah King, Birgit Loch, Leanne Rylands (eds.), International Delta Steering Committee, The University of Western Sydney, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, (2013), 150-159. ISBN 978-1-74108-289-0
Rachel Wilson, John Mack, Barry Walsh: Stagnation, decline and gender disparity in participation in NSW HSC mathematics and science combinations, Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education 2013, Manula Sharma and Alexandra Yeung (eds.), Annual UniServe Science Conference, UniServe Science, University of Sydney, (2013), 199-204. ISBN 978-0-9871834-2-2
Yoshitaka Nakakoji, Rachel Wilson & Leon Poladian: Participation & transfer of learning between tertiary mathematics, science, and engineering education, Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education 2013, Manula Sharma and Alexandra Yeung (eds.), Uniserve Science, University of Sydney, (2013), 174-178. ISBN 978-0-9871834-2-2
Leon Poladian, Margaret Barbour, Caleb Kelly: Resource use and study habits in a first-year mathematics service unit, Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education 2013, Manula Sharma and Alexandra Yeung (eds.), Uniserve Science, University of Sydney, (2013), 179-184. ISBN 978-0-9871834-2-2
Leon Poladian: Engaging life-sciences students with mathematical models: does authenticity help?, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 44 (2013), no. 6, 865?876. MR3172635
Sandra Britton, Jenny Henderson: Teaching and Learning Proof-Writing in Linear Algebra, Proceedings of Volcanic Delta 2011, Volcanic Delta 2011: The Eighth Southern Hemisphere Conference on the Teaching and Learning of Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics, John Hannah and Mike Thomas (eds.), University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, (2011), 22-32. ISBN 978-0-473-20019-0
David Easdown: Excursions to and from semantic oblivion, Proceedings of Volcanic Delta 2011, Volcanic Delta 2011: The Eighth Southern Hemisphere Conference on the Teaching and Learning of Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics, John Hannah and Mike Thomas (eds.), University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand, (2011), 78-85. ISBN 978-0-473-20019-0
Leon Poladian: Distinct targeting of multiple mathematical proficiencies in first-year service teaching, Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education 2011, The 17th Annual UniServe Science Conference, Manjula Sharma, Alexandra Yeung, Trisha Jenkins, Elizabeth Johnson, Gerry Rayner & Jan West (eds.), UniServe Science, The University of Sydney, (2011), 139-144. ISBN 978-0-9871834-0-8
John O'Byrne, Sandra Britton, Adrian George, S Franklin. A Frey: Using academic predictors to identify first year science students at risk of failing, CAL-laborate International, 17 (2009), no. 1, 15 ? 25.
AL Roberts, Majula Sharma, Sandra Britton S, New PB: Identification and Use of Theoretical Frameworks for a Qualitative Understanding of Mathematics Transfer, CAL-laborate International, 17 (2009), no. 1, 1-14.
David Easdown, Tiho Ancev, Thomas Bishop, Sarah Mansfield, Anna Ougrinovskaia, Neil Saunders, Di Warren: Learning and teaching in summer: is it better and why?, Motivating Science Undergraduates: Ideas and Interventions, Motivating Science Undergraduates: Ideas and Interventions, Alexandra Hugman (ed.), UniServe Science Conference Proceedings, UniServe Science, The University of Sydney, (2009), 24-29. ISBN 978-1-74210-149-1
David Easdown: Syntactic and semantic reasoning in mathematics teaching and learning, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 40 (2009), no. 7, 941-949.
Sandra Britton, Jenny Henderson: Linear algebra revisited: an attempt to understand students' conceptual difficulties, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 40 (2009), no. 7, 963-974.
Recent Conference Papers
Leon Poladian, Jackie Nicholas: (2013) Mathematics Bridging Courses and Success in First Year Calculus. 9th DELTA conference on the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, Melbourne, Australia: International Delta Steering Committee.Yoshitaka Nakakoji, Rachel Wilson, Leon Poladian: (2013). Participation & transfer of learning between tertiary mathematics, science, and engineering education. 19th Annual UniServe Science Conference: Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (ACSME), Australia: Uniserve Science.
Leon Poladian, Margaret Barbour, C Kelly: (2013). Resource use and study habits in a first-year mathematics service unit. 19th Annual UniServe Science Conference: Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (ACSME), Australia: Uniserve Science.
David Easdown, George Papadopoulos, Collin Zheng: (2013). Summer school versus term-time for fundamental mathematics at the tertiary level. 9th DELTA conference on the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, Melbourne, Australia: International Delta Steering Committee.
David Easdown:(2011). Excursions to and from semantic oblivion. Volcanic Delta 2011: 8th Southern Hemisphere Conference on Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics, Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury.
Leon Poladian, Jackie Nicholas: (2013). Mathematics Bridging Courses and Success in First Year Calculus. 9th DELTA conference on the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics and statistics, Melbourne, Australia: International Delta Steering Committee.
Yoshitaka Nakakoji, Rachel Wilson, Leon Poladian: (2013). Participation & transfer of learning between tertiary mathematics, science, and engineering education. 19th Annual UniServe Science Conference: Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (ACSME), Australia: Uniserve Science.
Leon Poladian, Margaret Barbour, C Kelly: (2013). Resource use and study habits in a first-year mathematics service unit. 19th Annual UniServe Science Conference: Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (ACSME), Australia: Uniserve Science.
Leon Poladian: (2011). Distinct Targeting of Multiple Mathematical Proficiencies in First-Year Service Teaching. The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education 2011 (The 17th Annual UniServe Science Conference), Sydney, Australia: UniServe Science, University of Sydney.
David Easdown, Anna Ougrinovskaia, Neil Saunders, Di Warren, T Ancev, T Bishop, Sarah Mansfield, S. (2009). Learning and Teaching in Summer: Is it better and why? UniServe Science, The University of Sydney Conference 2009, Australia: Uniserve Science.
David Easdown: (2007). The role of proof in mathematics teaching and The Plateau Principle. UniServe Science 2007, Sydney, Australia: Uniserve Science.