Using structural equation modeling, a previous study investigated the longitudinal relationships of role-related mathematics identity, efficacy, and interest to grade 12 mathematics performance. The results indicated that both mathematics identity and educational expectations at grade 11 were statistically and substantively significant predictors…

Research has shown that many primary students experience transition barriers between additive and multiplicative thinking. This paper analysed responses from 253 Years 3 to 6 students to a diagnostic assessment which consists of whole number multiplication and division problems involving equal groups, arrays, multiplicative comparison and…

Students from a Chinese background demonstrate outstanding performance in international mathematics assessments. Besides cultural characteristics, innate mathematics ability is often referred to as the reason for their performance. This paper aims to debunk this assumption of innate ability and provide an alternate perspective to the discussion by…

The author provides an overview of several theories of numeracy acquisition that, despite criticisms, have withstood the passage of time and continue to influence policy and practices in schools. These are followed by a brief review of some recent research in the domain of numeracy learning and teaching. The article ends with some of the current…

The push to ensure pre-service teachers are numerate, on face value, is appropriate. However, the way in which numeracy is described is of great importance as it will determine what is assessed and how it is assessed. The way numeracy is described will also impact on how teacher educators assist pre-service teachers to develop their numeracy. This…

Mathematics is central in school curricula around the world, yet outcomes are mixed at best. This is true both in relation to attitudes expressed towards mathematics, and in relation to observed assessment outcomes, showing how poorly individuals are prepared to use mathematics in a world in which the ability to do so is of increasing importance.…

Numeracy Skills testing was brought to the forefront following the Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers report in 2015. The announcement was met with much concern by many pre-service teachers (PSTs). Given the body of research associated with mathematics anxiety and assessment, which suggests that students' self-efficacy and confidence in their…

The way in which technologies support students with disability has been widely explored in recent times. Much of this research has focused on computer programs specifically designed to teach social and academic skills to students with disability. In the research reported in this paper we examined how students with disability could use technology…

It is essential that pre-service teacher educators address pre-service teacher numeracy but with careful consideration as it incorporates more than mathematics skills. Numeracy also involves disposition towards mathematics--attitudes, confidence and mathematics anxiety; that is, the level of willingness to use mathematics skills. As part of an…

Today's scientist is faced with complex problems that require interdisciplinary solutions. Consequently, tertiary science educators have had to develop and deliver interdisciplinary science courses to equip students with the skills required to solve the evolving real-world challenges of today and tomorrow. There are few reported studies of the…

Student primary teachers tend to have pervasive and frequently severe negative attitudes, low mathematics self-efficacy beliefs, and anxiety of mathematics that are more extreme than those of any other undergraduate student group. If unaddressed, such mathematics aversion will be carried into primary school classrooms, presenting a tangible and…

This is a record of the proceedings of the 30th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA). The theme of the conference is "Mathematics: Essential research, essential practice." The theme draws attention to the importance of developing and maintaining links between research and practice and…