The Pattern and Structure Mathematical Awareness Program (PASMAP) is an early year’s mathematics program based on research evidence and designed to promote structural thinking, focusing student attention on spatial and numerical patterns.

The project will research two areas of classroom based mathematics teaching and learning:

1. Teaching and learning mathematics content

The project will provide professional development for R-2 teachers to implement the Pattern and Structure Mathematical Awareness Program (PASMAP) and Pattern and Structure Assessment (PASA) in their classrooms.  PASMAP is an early year’s mathematics program developed in Australia based on research evidence. PASMAP develops children’s awareness of pattern and structure in mathematics and is designed for classroom use, with an organised series of learning sequences and pathways that can be integrated into regular planning and teaching. PASA is the assessment tool developed for PASMAP. Beginning in Term 3: 2018, it is envisaged that PASMAP and PASA would supplement the existing Australian Curriculum requirements and integrate with other mathematics assessment and planning processes, including the Early Years Numeracy Observation Assessment (EYNOA).

2. Developing children’s dispositions for intellectual engagement with mathematics

The project will examine teachers’ use of a dispositional framework to enable the identification and fostering of children’s intellectual engagement when learning mathematics. 

Participating schools and R- 2 teachers will undertake professional learning with one of the authors and developers of PASMAP and PASA, Professor Joanne Mulligan, and with the researchers, Dr Virginia Kinnear (Deakin University) and Dr David Moltow (UTAS) and CESA Leading Learning Consultants.

The project will support participating teachers and schools to:

• develop their knowledge of  mathematics and pedagogies for teaching mathematics;
• improve both mathematics and numeracy learning outcomes for students;
• develop knowledge of ways to identify and support  children’s dispositions to be intellectually engaged with mathematical learning;
• develop research skills, including data collection and management;
• support ongoing learning in their school context;
• foster capabilities consistent with CESA’s Living, Learning, Leading framework

Schools who were successful in their Expression of Interest to participate in this 3 year research project are asked to register the two participants they nominated.

A limited number of places for the professional learning workshops only are still available for starting this year (24 August 2018) or the beginning of 2019. Participants already nominated or who wish to participate in the 3 year project are also required to register.

(8 places remaining)

For further information about the research project and professional learning, please contact kathryn.oneil@cesa.catholic.edu.au  / adrian.dilger@cesa.catholic.edu.au
Tel: 8301 6600

For registration inquiries, please contact adeline.mcloughlin@cesa.catholic.edu.au
Tel: 8301 6641