Research groups
Research Group 4. ICT in Education
Leader: Prof John Hedberg
This area is concerned with research on the application of ICTs to the learning and teaching of mathematics and science. There is considerable overlap with the work of the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary groups.
Current Projects
- Working mathematically: Teaching and learning via the internet
Two schools in Sydney and two in Dubbo are trialing an e-learning environment (HOTmaths©) that combines textbook-style notes, worksheets and interactive learning objects into a system that also facilitates assessment, reporting and messaging. More than 700 Year 7 students and their teachers are involved. Mathematics lessons are being observed regularly and students' progress will be measured using the ACER iAchieve test and a test of Working Mathematically. The analysis will focus on how students learn using the system and how it changes the way their teachers teach.
Chief Investigators: Mike Mitchelmore, Michael Cavanagh, John Hedberg, Joanne Mulligan
Funded by the HOTmaths company and a Macquarie University External Collaborative Research Grant
- Interactive digital representations and understanding fractions
The development of children's mathematical representations afforded by digital agents such as learning objects, interactive whiteboards and wireless mobile learning devices in the first years of schooling will be investigated through a series of case studies in Kindergarten and Year 2.
Chief Investigator: PhD student Kristy Goodwin
- Using programmable toys as cognitive tools in early mathematical development
The development of children’s concepts of dimensionality, transformation and directionality as they use three programmable robots will be investigated through a series of case studies in preschool and Kindergarten.
Chief Investigator: PhD student Kate Highfield
Publications
Bower, M. (2008). A taxonomy of task types in computing. Proceedings of the 13th annual conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Madrid, Spain (pp. 281-285).
Bower, M. (2008). Affordance analysis: Matching learning tasks with learning technologies. Educational Media International, 48, 3-15.
Bower, M. (2008). The Instructed Teacher: A computer science online learning pedagogical pattern. Proceedings of the 13th annual conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Madrid, Spain (pp. 189-193).
Goodwin, K. (2008). The development of a digital assessment of early fraction learning. In O. Figueras, J. Cortina, S. Alatorre, T. Rojano & A. Sepúlveda (Eds.), Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of PME 32 and PME-NA XXX (Vol. 1, p. 263). México: Cinvestav-UMSNH.
Highfield, K., Mulligan, J., & Hedberg, J. (2008). Early mathematics learning through exploration with programmable toys. In O. Figueras, J. Cortina, S. Alatorre, T. Rojano & A. Sepúlveda (Eds.), Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of PME 32 and PME-NA XXX (Vol. 3, pp. 169-176). México: Cinvestav-UMSNH.
Bower, M. (2007). Groupwork activities in virtual classroom spaces. Proceedings of the 38th SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, Covington, KY (pp. 91-95).
Bower, M. (2007). Independent, synchronous and asychronous: An analysis of approaches to online concept formation. Proceedings of the 12th annual conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Dundee, Scotland (pp. 141-145).
Bower, M. (2007). Online computer science education in Australasia. Computer Science Education Journal, 17, 227-242.
Goodwin, K., Mulligan J. T., & Hedberg, J. (2007). The cognitive and pedagogical affordances of digital learning tools on early mathematical development. In J. Watson & K. Beswick (Eds.), Mathematics: Essential research, essential practice (Proceedings of the 30th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Hobart, p. 918). Sydney: MERGA.
Highfield, K. (2007) Using ICT to develop early patterning and algebraic reasoning skills with young children. Reflections, 32(1), 24-26.
Highfield, K., & Mulligan, J. T. (2007). The role of dynamic interactive technological tools in preschooler's mathematical patterning. In J. Watson & K. Beswick (Eds.), Mathematics: Essential research, essential practice (Proceedings of the 30th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Hobart, pp. 372-381). Adelaide: MERGA.
Oliver, R., Harper, B., Wills, S., Agostinho, S., & Hedberg, J. (2007). Describing ICT-based learning designs that promote quality learning outcomes. In H. Beetham & R. Sharpe (Eds.), Rethinking pedagogy for the digital age. London: Routledge.
Stewart, K. (2007). Mobile learning: Designing the learning context. In A. Norman & J. Pearce (Eds.), Making the Connections (Proceedings of the 6th annual International Conference On Mobile Learning, Melbourne, pp. 253-258.) Parkville VIC: University of Melbourne. Available online at http://www.mlearn2007.org/files/mLearn_2007_ Conference _Proceedings.pdf
Thompson, K., & Stewart, K. (2007). The mobile jigsaw: A collaborative learning strategy for mLearning about the environment. Paper presented at the annual mLearn conference, Making the connections, Melbourne, Australia. available online at http://www.mlearn2007.org/files/ mLearn_2007_ Conference_ Proceedings.pdf
Bower, M. (2006). A learning system engineering approach to developing online courses. Proceedings of the 8th Australasian Computer Education Conference, Hobart (pp. 45-54).
Bower, M. (2006). Virtual classroom pedagogy. Proceedings of the 37th SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, Houston, TX (pp. 148-152).
Bower, M., & Richards, D. (2006). Collaborative learning: Some possibilities and limitations for students and teachers. Proceedings of ASCILITE'06, Sydney. Available online at http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/sydney06/proceeding/pdf_papers/p150.pdf
Bower, M., Woo, K., Roberts, M., & Watters, P. (2006). Wiki pedagogy: A tale of two wikis. Proceedings of the 7th international conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training, Sydney (pp. 187-198).
Stewart, K. (2006). Using technology to support sustained student inquiry in learning environments beyond the classroom. In Proceedings of BGCI’s 6th International Congress on Education in Botanic Gardens, University of Oxford.
Bower, M. (2005) Online assessment feedback: Competitive, individualistic, or... preferred form! Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 24, 124-147.
Bower, M., & Richards, D. (2005). Self-paced lectures. Proceedings of the 4th IASTED international conference on Web Based Education, Grindelwald, Switzerland (pp. 12-17).
Bower, M., & Richards, D. (2005). The impact of virtual classroom laboratories in computer science education. Proceedings of the 36th SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, St. Louis, MO (pp. 292-296). New York: ACM Press.