Maths lecturers from Institutes of Technology across Ireland are to attend a national mathematics conference hosted by Galway-Mayo Institute
of Technology (GMIT ) today (Thursday ) Delegates from institutes countrywide will gather for the “Sixth Annual Conference in Mathematics and Statistics Service Teaching and Learning” at the Dublin Road campus, Galway.
The annual event gives mathematicians an opportunity to share their ideas on teaching methods. Keynote speakers are Dr Brendan Guilfoyle, Institute of Technology, Tralee, who will talk about "The Decline in Irish Educational Standards: a Mathematician's Perspective"; Professor Des MacHale, University College Cork, who will deliver a talk entitled "The Role of Humour in Teaching Third-level Mathematics”; Professor Benno Moiseiwitsch, Queen's University Belfast, who will deliver a lecture on "Mathematics and Art" and Bill Lynch, Director, Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, who will outline the aims and objectives of the new second level mathematics syllabus "Project Maths: Improving Understanding in Mathematics Teaching and Learning"
Conference co-ordinator and School of Engineering lecturer Rachel Gargan says the conference provides a forum for practitioners in the field of mathematics and statistics to discuss best practice in teaching and learning.”
“All keynote lectures are open to the public and GMIT welcomes anyone with an interest in mathematics to attend. Second level teachers may have a particular interest in attending the afternoon lectures on educational standards and Project Maths.” adds Ms Gargan.
Gerard Mac Michael, Head of the GMIT School of Engineering, said that Ireland’s 15-year-old students have fallen from 15th in 2006 to 26th in 2009 in a comprehensive survey of 34 OECD countries, our main trading competitors.”
“This conference aims to explore the impact of the decline in mathematics attainment of Irish students in the PISA assessments of 2009 on mathematics teaching and learning in the Institutes.” For further information, conference programme, schedule and registration, click on the following link: http://www.gmit.ie/serving-the-region/conferences/mstl-2011/index.html
