Project MathsChanges in Assessment - Implications

Bill Lynch

MSSTL Annual Conference, Carlow, 24th May 2010

2

Phasing of developments

Phased syllabus changes at junior cycle and senior

cycle – 5 strands over 3 years1. Statistics and probability

2. Geometry and trigonometry

3. Number

4. Algebra

5. Functions

Bridging framework to link primary and post-primary

mathematics

National roll-out after two years; also phased

3

Schedule of introduction

24 initial schools

– Strands 1 and 2 in 2008

– Strands 3 and 4 in 2009

– Strand 5 in 2010

All other schools

– Strands 1 and 2 in 2010

– Strands 3 and 4 in 2011

– Strand 5 in 2012

4

Areas of Support for Project Maths

Project Maths Development Team

– Resources to support teachers

– Resources for student use and research

– Web-based materials (www.projectmaths.ie)

Communication; public awareness; access to

information

Collaboration with others

– CSO, IIF, ERC

– NCE-MSTL

5

Emphasis on understanding and skills

Building on existing knowledge and skills

Progression and continuity; from the concrete to

the abstract, from the informal to the formal

Developing learner confidence and competence

Focus on problem-solving skills and strategies

Applying knowledge and skills to familiar and

unfamiliar contexts/problems

6

Changes at Leaving Certificate

Curriculum and assessment developments

– incremental revisions to syllabuses and assessment

– removal of choice on exam papers

– structure of the paper (focus on LC-OL)

– interim arrangement

Three syllabus levels, FL, OL and HL

– uptake target: at least 30% of the cohort at HL

– changed emphasis; context, applications

7

Strand 1 – Statistics and Probability

Statistics Statistical reasoning

Finding, collecting, and

organising data

Representing data

graphically and

numerically

Analysing, interpreting

and drawing inferences

from data

Probability Counting

Concepts of

probability

Discrete probability

(as relative

frequency)

Outcomes of random

processes

8

Strand 2 – Geometry and Trigonometry

Synthetic geometry

– terms and concepts

– constructions, axioms, theorems, corollaries

Co-ordinate geometry

Trigonometry

9

Strand 3 – Number

Topics

– Number systems; operations

– Indices

– Applied arithmetic

– Length, area and volume

– Sets

Pre-algebra approach

– patterns and generalisations; problem-solving strategies

– modelling operations

10

Strand 4 – Algebra

Topics

– Arithmetic expressions; representations (tables, graphs)

– Finding ‘formulae’

– Examining change rates and relations

– Algebraic expressions; factors; graphs

– Equations and inequalities

Functions-based approach

– Representational; transformational

– Generalising and justifying

11

Responding to the feedback

Syllabus adjustment

– Streamlining

– Deferral of learning outcomes

– Hypothesis testing

Assessment arrangements

– Retention of topics on paper 2 (i.e. those not in S1 or S2)

– Interim Paper 2 choice (June 2010)

– Weighting between S1 and S2

– Additional draft questions + commentary

12

First ‘new’ examination – June 2010

SEC trial of Sample LC Maths Paper 2 (Oct. ‘09)

– adjusted Sample Paper; report on the trialling

Additional questions for strands 1 and 2

Pre-Leaving Certificate (‘mock’) Paper 2

– correction and return of scripts

– feedback to teachers

13

First ‘new’ examination – June 2010

14

LC-OL Paper 2 2010

15

16

17

18

Question 6

19

20

Question 7

21

22

Q.7 (b) Comment on answering

23

24

25

Question 8

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

The square tile ABCD has side of length 1 metre. Two such tiles are to be combined to form a single square.

Show how this can be done.

38

39

Rearranging the pieces to form another square.

40

Project Maths aims to bring about

Improved understanding of concepts

Ability to apply mathematical knowledge and skills to real-life contexts

Better problem-solving skills

Less reliance on practised routines and predictable questions

Appreciation of mathematics

More discerning students and citizens

41

Information on Project Maths

URL: www.ncca.ie/projectmaths

URL: www.projectmaths.ie

URL: www.examinations.ie

Email: bill.lynch@ncca.ie