Students from the University of Notre Dame Australia are taking a unique approach to their learning to enhance their skills as specialised mathematic teachers.
A new collaboration between the University and Ultimo Public School in Sydney, is allowing second-year Bachelor of Education students, who are currently enrolled in a specialised mathematics course, the chance to witness mathematics in action in a real-life classroom setting.
Notre Dame students have been voluntarily visiting Ultimo Public School on a regular basis to observe skilled educators expertly integrating mathematical concepts into their teaching methods and witness the positive impact on student engagement and understanding.
By immersing themselves in the daily activities of Ultimo Public School, Notre Dame students gain invaluable firsthand experience, honing their skills and refining their understanding of how mathematics can be effectively taught in a dynamic classroom environment.
Associate Lecturer Kylie Fitzgerald said the opportunity to take students to visit Ultimo Public School had been an incredible experience for pre-service teachers.
"This partnership has provided the bridge to help our students make real-life connections between theory and practice," Kylie said.
"It has been so valuable for our students to see incredible primary educators teaching maths in Stage 1 classes in engaging and practical ways.
"For many of our students, this is the first time they have been in primary classrooms since they were at school. They have learnt many additional strategies to support and teach students in maths."
Ultimo Public School Assistant Principal Emma Hutchinson said the partnership had offered her team the opportunity to share and showcase the best practice in their classroom and advocacy for student engagement and empowerment.
"This is the critical and creative part of our day to day - how we transfer great ideas on paper into real-life learning experiences," she said.
"This collaboration has been valuable in many ways - what has resonated most is the excitement and energy of the education students and the moral purpose that we all share regardless of experience; to help the kids in front of us be the best people they can be."
Second year pre-service teachers Jeremy and Piper both said they had taken a great deal from the opportunity.
"I guess in the modern world it showed me that a lot of maths can be taught with manipulatives and giving students whiteboards and counters and blocks, and it just makes it so much more engaging and exciting," Jeremy said.
"I feel quite ready compared to where I was at," Piper said, "I barely knew what pedagogy meant in terms of teaching. I've learned heaps of strategies, and seeing the teachers at Ultimo really showed me different ways of how I can implement these in the classroom."
The partnership between Notre Dame and Ultimo Public School exemplifies the commitment of both institutions to educational excellence and innovation.
By forging strong ties between academia and practical application, this collaboration is set to shape the future of mathematics education, nurturing a new generation of educators armed with the knowledge, skills, and passion to transform the lives of students.
