We are in the midst of a revolution, in the science of the brain and learning. New knowledge from brain science is showing a clear path for mathematics learning, that is both exciting and inspiring for teachers. In recent years scientific studies have also demonstrated that student and teacher ‘mindsets’ have a profound impact on learning. Students with a ‘growth mindset’ (Dweck, 2006) who believe that intelligence and ‘smartness’ can be learned and that the brain can grow from exercise learn more effectively, displaying a desire for challenge and showing resilience in the face of failure. Such behaviors encourage greater maths persistence, engagement and high achievement. Mathematics teachers play a critical role in the development of mindsets and this session will review the ways to teach for a growth mindset, including attention to classroom norms, maths tasks, questions and other aspects of the maths classroom. We will also review the new and exciting brain science and think about what that means for maths learning.
Presentation Format: Major Keynotes