The Effective Teaching and Learning of Mathematics and Science research thrust of the MARANG Centre is pleased to invite you to its annual seminar and teachers’ workshop entitled:

Symposium: 8 September 2006, 14:30 – 16:30

Teachers’ workshop:  9 September 2006, 9:30 – 12:30
Venue: MARANG, MacGregor  building, Wits Education Campus (formerly JCE)
RSVP: Samantha Govender

govendersa@educ.wits.ac.za
011 717 3414

Spaces are limited for the teachers’ workshops so it is essential that when you RSVP you indicate which workshop you would like to attend

Seminar (8 September, 14:30 – 16:30)

This learning life: Coming to know…

By Laurinda Brown, University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education

In this seminar, we will explore how ideas of learning impinge on teaching of school mathematics and science.  We examine a belief that we come to know the world through the distinctions we make about our world. We then consider the implications that this belief might have for our practice as teachers, coaches, mentors and learners of mathematics and science.  The exploration will be guided by the following questions:

-          What is learning?

-          How do we learn mathematics and Science?

-          What do we see?

-          How do we come to see more?

-          How does what we see relate to what we do?

We will deal with the issue that as individual teachers, coaches, mentors and learners, our actions will be closely linked to our take on these questions. We will interrogate the role of the more experienced and aware others, the one who is able to see more, in focusing the attention of the learner.

Teachers’ Workshop (9 September, 09:30 – 12:30)

Promoting a collaborative culture among teachers in schools.

Presented by Laurinda Brown, University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education

During this workshop, the following questions will be explored with stimulus from a research project where a collaborative group of teachers in different schools with different cultures developed classroom cultures in which students needed to use algebra themselves to explore and express their ideas:

1.                  What does collaboration mean?

2.                  What does it mean to create a collaborative culture among teachers?

3.                  What does a collaborative culture make possible in school science and mathematics?

Schedule for the workshop.

09:30 – 11:00     Workshop facilitated by Laurinda Brown

11:00 – 11:30     Tea

11:30 – 12:30     General Discussion on key learning issues emerging from the workshop