Spring Term Event

When to tell and when not to tell...

There has often been a tension as to whether we ought to tell our students things or allow them to discover those things for themselves. Some teachers say that they want to get their students exploring mathematical ideas but the reality is that lessons tend to be teacher-centred with students being told the relevant mathematics. We will look at a framework which can guide when to tell and when it might be better not to tell. We will explore three types of activities: those which are designed to help students remember those things we do tell them; those which are aimed at students becoming aware of new mathematics; and those which aim to help students become fluent with those things they have recently met.

Dave Hewitt taught in secondary schools for 11 years including five as a Head of Faculty. He gained a national reputation as a mathematics teacher before moving into teacher education. In 1990 he worked at the University of Birmingham and in 1994 gained his PhD based on the idea of the economic use of time and effort in the teaching and learning of mathematics. In 2014 Dave moved to Loughborough University to start up a new mathematics teacher training course which has recently gained an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted. In addition to initial teacher education, Dave works with Masters and PhD students and has given talks at universities and at conferences in many different countries. He has recently produced a book with Tom Francome on Practising Mathematics from the association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM).

Schedule

10:00-10:05 Welcome

10:05-10:30 Experience working with the ideas from Event 1

10:30-11:15 When to tell and when not to tell: Arbitrary and Necessary

11:15-11:30 Break

11:30-12:30 Assisting memory

12:30-13:30 Lunch

13:30-14:30 Educating awareness

14:30-14:45 Break

14:45-15:45 Practice makes perfect... but what sort of practise?

15:45-16:00 Close

Travel info

Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU

Loughborough University is easily accessible by road, but please note that parking on campus is limited and we are unable to reserve car parking spaces. From the M1 (Junction 23) or the A6, follow the signs to the University. Please enter onto the campus through the University’s West Entrance off Ashby Road. If using a satnav, the postcode to enter is LE11 3GR.

Please report to the west park entrance gatehouse on arrival, where you will receive a visitors’ parking permit. Car parking is available in the Holywell car park. From the gatehouse, go straight across at the first and second round about and the car park will be on your left.

One you have parked, please begin to walk back the way that you drove in. As you approach the first roundabout nearest the gatehouse, turn right and proceed to the STEM Lab. There will be Student Ambassadors on sight to greet and direct you, wearing purple ‘Team Loughborough’ T-shirts.

Travelling by train

Regular intercity services operate between Loughborough and other mainline towns and cities. From Loughborough station there is a regular ‘sprint’ bus service to the campus approximately every 10 minutes. The bus fare to campus is £2.10 and it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the campus. If taking the bus, please alight at the ‘STEM Lab’ bus stop which is just outside the event venue. Taxis are also available from outside the railway station.

Loughborough University London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3BS

Loughborough University London is located inside Here East, an innovation hub on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There will be parking available.

Loughborough University London has fast links to Central London and the south and east of England, with easy access to the A11, A12, A13, A102, A406, M11 and M25.

We advise visitors to park at Westfield Stratford City where there are around 4,500 parking spaces in three car parks over 15 levels. All of the car parks have easy access to the campus via the free shuttle bus which operates from Stratford International Station’s bus stop E.

Travelling by train

A free shuttle bus service connects Here East to all major transport stations in Stratford, London. The service is available to anyone travelling to and from Here East, and runs every 5 minutes from 7am until 11pm. The bus operates from Stratford International bus stop E and Stratford City bus stop X, and will take approximately 5 minutes to reach Here East (Bus stop in The Yard). The buses are clearly marked ‘Here East’.

Stratford bus station, Stratford rail station, Stratford DLR and Stratford underground stations are located in close proximity to Stratford City bus stop X. On arrival at one of these stations, please follow the signs towards Westfield Stratford City and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. If you are using the underpass exit the station and turn right before you reach Stratford City bus station. Stratford City bus stop C is on the opposite side of Montfichet Road. If you are using the bridge over the railway tracks, when you reach the end of the bridge, walk down the steps on the right-hand side and cross Montfichet Road when you reach the bottom. Stratford City bus stop X is located here, opposite Stratford Place. Please allow 5 minutes for this journey.

View the bus route on the Here East website.

_{** Free or discounted travel may be available for teachers from schools in areas where progression to Higher Education is lower than might be expected. If you would like to discuss this further, then please contact us at lumen@lboro.ac.uk}