‘Students enjoyed and talked about the classes in the corridors’: pedagogical framework promoting interest in algebra

Abstract

Research suggests that there are two major reasons for the low numbers taking Higher Levelmathematics in Ireland: namely, ineffective teaching and a subsequent lack of student interest in the subject. Traditional styles of teaching make it difficult for students to take an interest in a confusing topic in which they can see no immediate relevance. This is particularly true regarding the topic of algebra and its teaching in school. This paper describes a pedagogical framework designed by the authors for the effective teaching of algebra at lower secondary level in Irish schools that engages students, and promotes interest in the domain. This framework has provided the basis for the design and development of a teaching intervention that has been piloted in Irish schools. In this paper the authors focus on the design of the pedagogical framework and its use to develop classroom materials for a school-based intervention.

Keywords:

• framework
• student interest
• effective teaching
• algebra

Notes

1. There are three levels of mathematics in the Irish school examination system with the upper level referred to as Higher, the next level referred to as Ordinary and the lowest level that can be taken referred to as Foundation.

2. ‘Project Maths’ is a major education initiative currently underway in Ireland which involves the introduction of revised syllabuses for both Junior and Leaving Certificate Mathematics. It involves changes to what students learn in mathematics, how they learn it and how they will be assessed.