Toh, Tin Lam

This project is a cross-discipline mix-method study which aims to explore and develop a package of alternative approach to teach Lower Secondary Normal (Technical) mathematics using story-telling, comics, and other graphic stimulus in context. It will study the effect of this alternative approach on students' mathematical self-concept, motivation to learn mathematics and achievement in mathematics. As an outcome of this project, a package (MAGICAL) will be developed to teach three main topics in N(T) mathematics. The package will be presented in (i) print form; (ii) web-based material; and (iii) mobile apps for use by schools. For data collection, both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used. A series of professional development will be provided for participating teachers as an essential by product

This paper presents a snapshot of Singapore’s journey towards excellence in mathematics education by examining the role of the traditional notion of mathematics competition and other competitive activities. It could be seen using the context of mathematics competition that the notion of “excellence” has evolved over time. Excellence as a high standard for individuals to achieve or as a set of obstacles for individuals to pit against the norm has been gradually broadened to include excellence as an internal goal for an individual to achieve, and even excellence as a goal for the mathematics education landscape.

The dissertation English in Mathematics Discourse highlights for mathematics educators a body of practical knowledge about Junior College mathematics lecture discourse from the linguistic perspective. Although this dissertation is found among the collection of the dissertations done by postgraduate students of linguistic studies, it is of value to mathematics educators, particularly, mathematics teachers at the Junior College level.

Purpose and Research Question - In this paper we propose a PATH framework for designing comicsbased instructional material for classroom lesson enactment through conducting a literature review in mathematics education.

Methodology – Systematic review was made with a focus on the potential benefits of comics for education, in particular, on developing students’ motivation for learning and facilitating their knowledge retention.

Findings – We further demonstrate with an exemplar the use of the framework in designing one set of comics-based instructional material for lower secondary mathematics lessons on mensuration.

Significance and Contribution in Line with Philosophy of LSM Journal – An exemplar of a comics-based instructional material designed according to the PATH-CoHANa framework.

Purpose and Research Question - In this paper, we propose a SCCG framework for using a dynamic geometry software (DGS) to enact a lesson on “Matrix and Transformation” based on intuitive-experimental approach. Methodology - A systematic literature review was conducted focusing on the impact of DGS on students’ learning, drawing on various learning theories, including Skemp’s relational understanding, social dimensional constructivism, and discovery learning. Findings - We demonstrate with an exemplar the use of SC2G framework in designing one lesson on “Matrix and Reflection” for senior high school students.

This paper reports a preliminary study on in-service Additional mathematics teachers' knowledge of kinematics concepts. A survey consisting of TRUE/FALSE questions was issued to the participating teachers. The questions were collations of the common misconceptions identified by some local Physics teachers among the local Physics students. The participants were asked to supply the answers to the questionnaire with their answers substantiated with reasons. In this paper, we discuss the results of the survey done on a group of twenty six in-service Additional mathematics teachers and classify the teachers' misconceptions of kinematics concepts. The finding of this initial survey could be useful to spur further research on Mathematics teachers' subject content knowledge on kinematics. Pragmatically it would also be useful for any agency which is planning for any content upgrading workshops for in-service teachers.

Mathematics competition questions can have a wider use in the mainstream mathematics classroom instructions beyond the rather restrictive mathematics competition environment. Efforts have been taken by the education community to popularize mathematics by utilizing these questions for the general student population. However, most of the work cited were mainly adapting or modifying competition questions for mathematics instruction at the secondary level. In this paper, we propose with two exemplars how selected mathematics competition questions can provide the affordance to engage the general primary school student population in the problem solving processes.

In this paper we present the views that the roles of comics for mathematics instruction extend beyond the role of addressing the affective needs of students, in particular the lower achieving students. We argue that within the broader framework of contextualization, comics have the potential to reach out to the entire spectrum of students to develop their higher order thinking skills and even raise their cognizance to environmental issues. Two exemplars based on the research carried out by us are presented.