KLA Feature - Mathematics

This year in Mathematics we have been focusing on improving students’ engagement with their learning using the technique of cold calling.  Cold calling is a teaching strategy where the teacher calls on students to answer questions without them volunteering first. The aim is to create a safe, friendly, supportive and inclusive environment where students are willing to take risks and make mistakes. 

In the survey we conducted at the start of this year students indicated the following barriers that prevent them from contributing to class discussion in Maths:

- Worried my answer is wrong – 68.1%

- Don't like being put on the spot – 48.4%

- Fear of what other students will think – 47.3%

- Don’t know the answer – 46.3%

- Not enough thinking time – 39.9%

- Don’t feel confident sharing publicly – 30.3%

We have found that cold calling makes students accountable for their learning and increases their confidence with class participation.  We have practised both individual cold calling and batch cold calling, where a group of students or the whole class is selected to answer the question at the same time. 

The goal for the mathematics faculty is:

✔ Greater student engagement. 

✔ Improved classroom culture where participation is the norm.

✔ More equitable learning environment – every student has a voice.

✔ Increased student confidence in sharing mathematical thinking.

✔ Deeper teacher insight into students’ understanding 

✔ Greater collaboration and co-construction of knowledge

The mathematics faculty is eager to see our students grow in confidence, participation, and understanding as the year progresses.

Mrs Erika Toth

Leader of Learning Mathematics