The Common Denominator - October 2020

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Marry

The Common Denominator, October 2020 edition of the Mathematical Association of Victoria, presents member-focused updates and reflections on engaging mathematics. It discusses MAV going virtual, highlighting the upcoming December Conference and the benefits of online access for reaching mathematics teachers across Victoria. The issue also frames learning and teaching through personal experience and classroom-relevant thinking, including the use of an exit ticket model (Ditch, Grow, Amplify) and guidance for preparing students for VCE exams.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time37 min

AccessFree to download

MAV20 GOES VIRTUAL

Engaging Mathematics – My Story

Ditch, Grow, Amplify

Preparing for VCE exams: a guide for students

THE COMMON DENOMINATOR 4/20 THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA DITCH, GROW, AMPLIFY INSIDE 3 6 12 19 MAVCON goes virtual, registrations now open Preparing for VCE exams: a guide for students Plants and animals: stimulating mathematical thinking Investigating shapes: which one doesn’t belong? Martin Holt-Primary mathematics education consultant. Illustration by Dominic Creswell-White. WHAT I LEARNT LAST TERM I won’t go on about how extraordinary Term 3 was. Instead, I want to reflect on my experience as an educational consultant working with the Mathematical Association of Victoria. I hope this article provide insights on the successes and challenges in driving innovation in maths teaching and learning in schools. This article may be of interest if you are currently thinking about building your own teaching capacity or looking at ways to drive whole-school improvement that is responsive to remote or more traditional learning. To assess what worked and what was less successful, I will use one of my favourite exit tickets, called Ditch, Grow, Amplify. Ditch is self-explanatory. Grow is in reference to a new idea that I want to implement. Amplify means something that I already do that I want to promote Continued on page 4 © The Mathematical Association of Victoria THE COMMON DENOMINATOR, TERM 4 2020 THE COMMON DENOMINATOR The MAV’s magazine published for its members. Magazine 277, October 2020 The Mathematical Association of Victoria, 61 Blyth Street Brunswick VIC 3056 ABN: 34 004 892 755 Tel: 03 9380 2399 Fax: 03 9389 0399 [office@mav.vic.edu.au](office@mav.vic.edu.au)[ ](office@mav.vic.edu.au)[www.mav.vic.edu.au](www.mav.vic.edu.au) [Office hours:](Office hours:) [8.30am](8.30am) – 5pm Monday to Friday President: Michael O’Connor CEO: Peter Saffin The Common Denominator is edited and produced by Louise Gray, Stitch Marketing. Print Post Approved Publication No: PP100002988 MAV publications including the website, newsletters, journals and magazines, may contain third party advertisements, content and links to third party sites. The Mathematical Association of Victoria does not make any representation as to the accuracy or suitability of any of the information contained in those materials or sites and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of those advertisements, content and sites and the offerings made by the third parties. Third party advertisements and links to other sites where goods or services are advertised are not endorsements or recommendations by the Mathematical Association of Victoria of the third party sites, goods or services. MAV takes no responsibility for the content ofthe ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered in all advertisements. For more information about advertising [with MAV email office@mav.vic.edu.au](with MAV email office@mav.vic.edu.au). 2 © The Mathematical Association of Victoria FROM THE PRESIDENT Michael O'Connor ENGAGING MATHEMATICS – MY STORY MAV is going virtual! At least our December Conference is. And I think it is a wonderful decision, turning a challenge into an opportunity. In the last couple of years, we have begun exploring broadcasting a few of the keynote sessions and talking at staff and Board level about what else we might offer. Faced, now, with the reality that is 2020 the transition from talk to action has been swift and decisive. What I am most excited about with this decision is that it offers tangible benefits to the mathematics teaching community of Victoria. For over twenty years MAV has been the largest mathematics teachers conference in Australia, with consistent attendances at or above 1400 participants. We know, though, that this is just a small fraction of the teachers in the state. By providing an online event that records all the presentations we have the potential to reach a hundred percent of

FAQs

What does MAV’s decision to go virtual aim to achieve?

It turns the challenge of 2020 into an opportunity by making conference presentations accessible online, helping reach more mathematics teachers in Victoria.

How is the exit ticket Ditch, Grow, Amplify used in the article?

It is used to assess what worked and what was less successful: Ditch identifies what to stop, Grow relates to a new idea to implement, and Amplify highlights existing practices to promote.

What learning ideas does the president’s story emphasize?

It highlights counting strategies using pairs and trios through subitising, and the value of hands-on experiences that support engagement and mathematical thinking for learners of any age.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Marry