Bad ideas, purposeless instruction hinder maths teaching: leading educators

Sarah Duggan

By Sarah Duggan
Published May 19, 2022

Too many bad ideas, sub-standard initial teacher education (ITE) training and learning activities that lack any clear purpose are fuelling the issues that plague maths education, two prominent Australian educators have suggested.

Eddie Woo and Greg Ashman joined host Glenn Fahey to discuss how we can ensure Australia’s maths teaching adds up to success.

Hosted by research fellow Glenn Fahey from libertarian think thank The Centre for Independent Studies, Greg Ashman and Eddie Woo ...

Principal Consultant - Health, Safety and Wellbeing (Statewide)

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

Join a newly established statewide initiative supporting safer schools across Queensland. The Department of Education is seeking multiple Principal Consultants, Heal...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 19, 2026

Cleaner - Tullawong State High School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

We are seeking a reliable and motivated Cleaner to play an important role in maintaining the presentation, cleanliness, and hygiene of our school environment. As a val...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 19, 2026

Intensive Education Case Manager - Darling Downs South West Region - Toowoomba Office (3 positions)

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Toowoomba

Join the Darling Downs South West Region team as an Intensive Education Case Manager based at the Toowoomba Office. With three positions available, this rewarding o...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 19, 2026

School news / ‘Defeats the purpose’: maths expert takes aim at CAS calculators allowed in exams

Subject study designs that heavily involve senior students using advanced calculators capable of solving problems that veer well into university-level mathematics, risk diluting teacher instruction and derailing learning – and are causing clear eq...

School news / Catholic educators take next step in ongoing fight for fair bargaining rights

The IEU has begun its application for a Single Interest Authorisation before the Fair Work Commission, marking a major step in its campaign for fair bargaining rights for Victorian Catholic education staff.

School news / ‘They can’t resist them’: teacher reveals extent of digital device distraction

The classroom often descends into a ‘battle scene’ when students have devices with them, as one teacher reports it is a constant struggle to ensure screens remain closed or actually used for learning.

School news / ‘Tough on truancy’ policies under scrutiny as attendance rates continue to drop

Extreme flooding is being blamed for Northern Territory’s reduced school attendance rates as its education minister defends her Government’s tough anti-truancy policy, which includes fines for parents.

School news / Teen terror accused had ‘autistic interest’ in bombs, court hears

A teenager accused of preparing a terrorist attack on then-opposition leader Peter Dutton was not guilty due to his autism-related fixations on dark humour and explosives, a jury has heard.

School news / Respectful debate in Australian classrooms is on the decline, teachers warn

A new poll of Australian teachers has found that respectful debate on contemporary or controversial issues is becoming harder to implement in classrooms, raising concerns about future democratic engagement and social cohesion.

School news / UK follows Australia’s lead with social media ban for under 16s

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the United Kingdom will ban social media platforms for under-16s and impose restrictions on gaming and live-streaming platforms, in a fightback against big tech that goes ‌further than any other co...

School news / Important opportunity for young people to have their say on consent education

Time is running out for young people aged 14-18 to take part in On Your Terms, a national survey being conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission on consent and sex education.

School news / Vic's device-free classroom movement targets secondary schools

The Victorian Government is doubling down on its mission to curtail the use of digital devices in the classroom, announcing that from next year all secondary schools must include planned ‘device-free time’ in their learning schedules.

School news / Teachers need help with ‘watered down’, ‘patchy’ climate education

Telling students to bin their rubbish does little to change behaviour when delivered in a classroom, in the experience of retired teacher Geoffrey Holt.

Comments