====================================================================== ATM eNews - 15 Dec 2005 ====================================================================== Know someone who might be interested in the e-News? Simply forward this e-News to them. Had this e-News forwarded to you? Then why not subscribe yourself? Email to enews@atm-online.org.uk with the word 'subscribe' in the subject box. ====================================================================== CONTENTS -------- * Backnumbers of Mathematics Teaching * Mathematics Teaching incorporating Micromath * Barbara Ball retires... * Graphic Calculators Wanted in Poland * Rich Starting Points - in A Level Mathematics * National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics * Education Show 2006 * A Free Trip to the United States ====================================================================== ******************************************************************** * * HAVE A GOOD BREAK AND MAY 2006 BE A YEAR OF PEACE FOR US ALL * * ******************************************************************** ====================================================================== Backnumbers of Mathematics Teaching ----------------------------------- The Web Editor is seeking as complete a collection of backnumbers of Mathematics Teaching to use in converting the entire collection into PDF format for the ATM Members' Website. If anyone has collected Mathematics Teaching, the ATM Journal, from the early days and you would like to make a contribution to this poroject by allowing your early copies to be sacrificed (they need to be cut up to scan)... ...then please contact Marten at webeditor@atm-online.org.uk Of particular interest are issues from MT2 to MT150 or so. ====================================================================== Mathematics Teaching incorporating Micromath -------------------------------------------- The ATM journal - Mathematics Teaching - has joined with Micromath and will be issued six times per year from January 2006. Issue 194 is previewed here: http://www.atm.org.uk/journals/mathematicsteaching/mt194.html ====================================================================== Barbara Ball, ATM Professional Officer Retires ---------------------------------------------- Barbara Ball has been the ATM Professional Officer for a few years but is - happily for her - sadly for us - taking a well-earned retirement. As Web Editor, I shall miss her company, support and advice on which I drew heavily on many occasions. Advice and support that is always warmly given and very gratefully received. You can read her last Update column from Mathematics Teaching here: http://www.atm.org.uk/journals/mathematicsteaching/mt193.html ====================================================================== Graphic Calculators Wanted in Poland ------------------------------------ Some of you may remember Wacek Zawdowski from the Siedlce Institute of Mathematics, he writes: "There are people in Siedlce and in other parts of Poland, who are interested in obtaining second hand graphic calculators, whole set or singles." Can any one help? Getting machines there is really no problem. Contact Wacek at mailto:wacek@mimuw.edu.pl ====================================================================== Rich Starting Points - in A Level Mathematics --------------------------------------------- The idea that mathematics teaching should include, indeed, should be based upon, open-ended, investigatory, problem-solving activities is as old as the hills. But maybe the most obvious truths are sometimes the most easily forgotten. I hope I am not claiming to have re- invented the wheel here. Perhaps some maths teachers have been less confident about using this type of work at A Level than at GCSE, falling back on more didactic methods for the 'advanced' material. My belief is that it is no harder to construct and use this kind of activity at A Level than at GCSE or Primary level, or indeed with University work. Risps - for A Level Mathematics was launched at the start of September 2005, and the final page is planned for the end of July 2006. The idea is to post one risp by midnight each Wednesday for the academic year 2005-6 (holidays excluded!)

My hope is that you will try out these risps and give me some feedback, and that this site will evolve in response to your comments. Hopefully too a methodology will be refined in the light of this dialogue. If you send me feedback, please give your organisation too. I will assume you are happy for me to quote you on this site, and to attribute the quotation to you, unless you request anonymity.

More info at Jonny Griffiths' RISPS Website: http://www.risps.net And you can read Jonny Griffiths's first episode of Correlation Street (from Mathematics Teaching) at: http://www.atm.org.uk/journals/mathematicsteaching/mt193.html ====================================================================== National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics ------------------------------------------------------------- The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) was first advocated in the Smith Report (2003), and much has been discussed about its potential impact to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics through improved CPD (continuing professional development), especially by Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education (ACME). The National Centre is now a reality, and will be formally launched in June 2006. An interim website has been set up so that in the months leading up to the launch, all mathematics teachers and lecturers, as well as all stakeholder organisations, are kept informed, and can participate and collaborate in the development of the Centre. "The National Centre will provide a much-needed infrastructure to establish programmes of professional development for teachers of mathematics. Its starting point will be developing knowledge of the subject and how it is taught in a way that is coordinated across all age groups and in collaboration with existing providers and initiatives." - Celia Hoyles, Chief Adviser for Mathematics More info at: http://www.ncetm.org.uk/ ====================================================================== Education Show 2006 ------------------- The Education Show returns to Birmingham's NEC from 09-11 Mar 2006. The Education Show 2006 will be addressing key issues across all subject areas, with particular focus on core curriculum areas. It¹s designed to provide all levels of teachers from all specialisms with a unique opportunity to review the widest selection of resources available to deliver better education, from pre-school through to nineteen. The Show is bringing some of the most inspirational speakers within the extensive CPD programme, sharing ideas and experiences sure to raise the profile of creativity at the core of education. There¹s a wide range of feature areas, from the Special Needs Zone to the Publishing Zone and the Policy in Practice area will include QCA, DFES, Ofsted, NCSL and the TDA. 'Curriculum or Creativity' is the subject of the Great Education Debate. On the podium, Professor Chris Woodhead and Sir Ken Robinson will be slugging it out. There'll be contributions from leading figures, but it's the visitors who'll have the final say, either by or voting on the issues within the exhibition itself. For more information on the CPD programme and Great Education Debate, as well as finding out what else is on offer, visit: http://www.education-show.com. ====================================================================== A Free Trip to the United States -------------------------------- “Wow! Such an amazing week, I’m so lucky and honoured to have had the opportunity. I’ve learned so much about space travel and cannot wait to start using the resources with our students.” That’s what Jo Tupper, a British Science teacher wrote after she took part in Honeywell’s Space Academy programme in the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama this year. Jo was one of 23 teachers from Europe who took part in the Space Academy. From 16 to 23 June 2006, Honeywell will give a number of secondary- level Science and Math teachers the opportunity to share that same experience. Several teachers from the United Kingdom have the chance to be among those selected for the Space Academy, which is funded by Honeywell. 40 hours of intensive training in space exploration and science, laboratory exercises and astronaut training…does that appeal to you? If so, why don’t you just apply? But you won’t reach the finishing line just like that. Interested teachers have to write an essay in English before February 1st. For more information or to apply online, log on to: http://www.honeywell.com/sites/hhs ====================================================================== To unsubscribe from this e-News email: enews@atm-online.org.uk with the word 'remove' IN THE SUBJECT BOX of the email (NOT in the message area but in the SUBJECT box please. That is in the SUBJECT BOX - in the SUBJECT BOX - in the SUBJECT box ====================================================================== If you have any problems email direct to the Web Editor: webeditor@atm-online.org.uk Association of Teachers of Mathematics 7 Prime Industrial Park Shaftesbury Street Derby DE23 8YB +44 (0) 1332 346599 ====================================================================== The ATM eNews is handled by Annery Kiln Web Design and Management: www.annerykiln.co.uk - Delivering Your Information Effectively +44 (0) 1237 477605 ======================================================================