In this paper I discuss some of the approaches that I take in challenging student teachers to understand education in global context, rather than in a decontextualized or instrumental way. These approaches draw on my experience of being an educator from the "global South" (the Caribbean) now working in the "global North"…

Recent policy changes have facilitated an expanded role for VET in Schools in supporting school completion, with vocational education and training (VET) in schools qualifications and subjects receiving increasing recognition in senior secondary certificates. Despite increased attainment of VET qualifications amongst 15 to 19-year-olds (Australian…

The focus of this paper is the use of National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) items to develop students' competence in reading mathematical text, to promote thinking strategies including estimation, and to evaluate alternative solutions for errors and misconceptions. Showing students test items and discussing strategies for…

Presents a theoretical model for developing environmental conceptions that incorporate environmental knowledge, attitudes/values, and behavioral orientations. Encourages students to become aware of, challenge inconsistencies in, and make informed decisions regarding their commitment to their own or alternative environmental conceptions. Presents…

Argues that the challenge for teachers of algebra in Australia is to find ways of making the structural aspects of algebra accessible to a greater percentage of students. Uses the zero product principle to provide an example of a common student error grounded in the difficulty of understanding the structure of algebra. (DDR)

Discusses a commonly held misconception that in the throwing of two dice, if a total of seven does not come up for a period of time then its appearance is imminent. Describes an experiment to disprove the misconception and includes a discussion of the theory that frames the results. (DDR)

Reports on research into the cognitive basis of children's alternative conceptions regarding light and sight. Highlights three factors that were found to interfere with effective teaching in science and suggests ways teachers can modify their approaches to circumvent them. Discusses ambiguity and the role of language, experience and concepts, and…

Discusses the implications of a research study of more than 2000 students aged 11 to 15 that explored why the students interpret algebra in certain ways. Recommends strategies that can help teachers deal with prior knowledge that students may bring to their study of algebra. (DDR)

Presents an approach to explaining a relation, a - b = -(b - a), that is difficult for algebra students to understand. The approach came about as a result of discussions with students in which they provided many novel explanations. (DDR)

Describes a study of Indian and Fijian pre-service primary teachers that reveals how many hold alternative conceptions of fundamental scientific concepts. Focuses on conservation of matter. (DDR)