ATM Conferences
ATM has been involved in the business of the professional development of mathematics educators for over fifty years. The Easter Conference is the annual highlight of ATM’s programme of professional development events.
Conference 2011 • Celebrating Gattegno
Mon 18 – Thu 21 Apr 2011
This year we celebrate fifty years of conferences and hope to take the opportunity to reflect on our roots and look forward to the future. The conference title is ‘Celebrating Gattegno’. Throughout the conference a strand of sessions will explore the philosophies of the founder of the ATM, Caleb Gattegno, his model of the learner and the subsequent approaches to the learning and teaching of mathematics.
Caleb Gattegno
Caleb Gattegno grew up in Alexandria, lived in Cairo, London and New York, but worked all over the world. He was a world citizen who in a life-long study of learning not only created a number of important innovatory techniques for the teaching of languages and of mathematics, but also made a remarkable, seminal contribution to the understanding of the learning process at all ages. His personal influence was profound and there are many people whose lives have been changed by the experience of working with him in seminars in various countries over the last few decades.
The first English translator of Piaget, he was influential in spreading awareness of developmental psychology. He invented geoboards; and he introduced teachers to Cuisenaire rods and the mathematical films of Nicolet. Use of these aids was developed in classrooms - he would teach children of any age or ability, anywhere, at any time, and do so publicly in front of other teachers.
A few months before he died, Gattegno gave a moving talk at the 1988 ATM Easter Conference. ‘A Gattegno Anthology’ opens with an edited transcript of his final talk to the Association. You can buy it here.
Buy A Gattegno Anthology here...
Venue
University of Wolverhampton, Telford Campus
“Telford is our youngest campus and a place where technology is pushed to new limits. The facilities fit our engineering, built environment and business (as well as some of our computing and social work) students like a glove. It's possibly the brightest place in one of our greenest counties. The modern campus is set in the grounds of the Grade II listed, 18th century mansion Priorslee Hall”
- Just 10 minutes away on the bus is Telford town centre
- There’s a large, modern shopping centre, featuring over 150 shops a cinema complex, restaurants, pubs and clubs
- Try the bowling alley, ice rink or skiing and snowboarding at one of the UK's only dry ski-slopes
- Find something cultural, musical or humorous at Oakengates Theatre
- The 450-acre town centre park is one of the largest town parks in Europe with colourful gardens, nature trails and woodland areas
- The Wrekin is Telford’s 1,334 ft hill with spectacular walks to the summit, and memorable views once there. And there are over 100 kilometres of cycle paths in the area, as well as a network of footpaths for pedestrians
- Don’t miss the world heritage site at Ironbridge, the Severn Gorge, the fully-working Victorian village at Blists Hill and related museums, the parks, castles and abbeys, and the beauty of Shropshire.
More information
Main speakers
Opening Plenary • Alf Coles
Closing Plenary • David Fielker
Special Plenary • Piers Messum and Roslyn Young
The Silent Way, Gattegno’s approach to the teaching of foreign languages.
Engaging mathematics: Practical, Creative and ICT-inspired
The annual Yorkshire and Humberside Mathematics Professional Development Day.
This one-day professional development event aims to support teachers to embrace the aims of the new secondary mathematics curriculum through new tasks and teaching approaches.
The opening session will be given by Hilary Povey and is entitled ‘Cre8ate maths - stimulating materials in a world of work context’. Delegates will choose to take part in three workshops from a wide choice which includes:
- Engaging with geometry and other subjects (Tom Roper)
- Engaging ideas: trying out a wealth of resources (Rachael Read)
- Teaching critical thinking skills in mathematics (Karen Kitchener)
- Creative geometry - the easy way! (Liz Meenan)
- Transforming transformation geometry with a SmartBoard (Carol Knights)
- Using ICT to enhance teaching and learning mathematics at KS3 (Chris Rath)
- Exploring the Cre8ate maths activities (Colin Jackson)
For more information download the programme or email conference@m-a.org.uk
Registration and payment is online via the website: https://www.eventelephant.com/EngagingmathematicsYork2010
More information
Read more about ATM at BCME 7 here...
Sponsors 2010
Previous Conferences
You can see photographs and reports from previous ATM conferences here...
Not been to a conference before?
“We are third year primary trainee teachers at the University of Northampton and felt compelled to write having just returned home bursting with enthusiasm from attending our first ATM conference...It will certainly feature regularly as part of our continuing professional development...”
Read the rest of this letter here
Day Conferences
- different sessions for primary and secondary teachers
- a wealth of practical ideas to motivate and challenge learners
- ideas for using ICT to teach mathematics
- the opportunity to share experiences and ideas with committed fellow professionals
- the opportunity for teachers to reflect on their practice
Find out more about ATM day conferences here...
Opportunities
The ATM Easter Conference provides opportunities for delegates involved with mathematics education related to any age to:
- Share in successful practices
- Develop their own mathematics
- Tap into recent pedagogical and curriculum research
- Learn about international developments and practice
- Evaluate recently produced resources
- Find out about and experience the most recent ICT developments
- Join new research networks and projects
- Learn about the most recent developments in mathematics education
- Make new and renew contacts with mathematics educators
- Have fun
- Leave the conference re-energised and full of ideas
Is it a Conference or a Course?
In the sense that everyone meets to confer on the subject of mathematics education in a very wide sense - it is a conference. In the sense that the participants can choose from a wide selection of workshops and extend their knowledge and outlook - it is a course.
What is it Really Like, Though?
A teacher in their second year sent us this:
“I have personal experience of conference and offer the following anecdotes:
“Quiz Night • Don't need to know anyone - just sit with a group and start...
“Music Night • Seeing people like Anne Watson on stage and thinking - why are some people born with so much talent. How dare she be able to teach and sing!
“Sessions • FULL of ideas, ideas and more ideas. Sitting with people for an hour and a half before you realise they wrote the last book you read.
“Lunchtime • People coming to sit next to you just to chat, finding out they wrote the last book you read! No top table...
“In other words, despite the fact that these people are at the 'top' of their profession there are no airs or graces, no big 'I am' - these are people willing to offer help and advice to anyone who asks for it. I recently posted on the ATM mailing list for a copy of Starting Points and received 5 replies. Including one from one of the authors! And then I was given a second copy at conference!”
Other things...
Information about our courses tailored to your needs is here
