Conceptual challenge is often considered a necessary ingredient for promoting deep learning in an inquiry-based environment. However, challenge alone does not support conceptual development. In this paper, we draw on complexity theory as a theoretical lens to explore how a primary teacher facilitated students' conceptual change through repeated…

The 3-year study described in this paper aims to create new knowledge about inquiry norms in primary mathematics classrooms. Mathematical inquiry addresses complex problems that contain ambiguities, yet classroom environments often do not adopt norms that promote curiosity, risk-taking and negotiation needed to productively engage with complex…

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is a pedagogical approach in which students address complex, ill-structured problems set in authentic contexts. While IBL is gaining ground in Australia as an instructional practice, there has been little research that considers implications for student motivation and engagement. Expectancy-value theory (Eccles and…

From an early age, children are faced with financial dilemmas and are expected to make effective financial decisions about money. In this paper, we explore the classroom practices that may enable a compassionate approach to financial literacy education. We observed an inquiry-based mathematics lesson in a Year 4 primary school classroom. The…

Growth mindsets are vital for effective lifelong learning. Students with growth mindsets are more willing to learn new things, take risks, and embrace challenges. Students with fixed mindsets have limiting beliefs about their abilities, and will attribute success in learning to factors beyond their control. Inquiry in mathematics classrooms may…

Developing mathematical inquiry practices requires that teachers are explicit about classroom norms that support these practices. In this study, we asked: "How can a teacher scaffold the development of norms and practices in mathematical inquiry over time?" Analysis of classroom video over a year showed that the teacher constantly…

Intellectual risk is valued among 21st century skills. Three primary teachers who promoted positive learning within mathematical inquiry collaborated with researchers to design and apply a rubric to assess children's progress in taking intellectual risks twice during the year. Results suggest that handling setbacks and giving feedback to peers…

Informal statistical inference has now been researched at all levels of schooling and initial tertiary study. Work in informal statistical inference is least understood in the early years, where children have had little if any exposure to data handling. A qualitative study in Australia was carried out through a series of teaching experiments with…

An empirical study was conducted with the aim to develop teachers' confidence and proficiency with teaching mathematics through inquiry. The study followed 41 primary teachers and compared a regular mathematics lesson to a lesson taught using an inquiry approach; 19 of these teachers were also followed over three years. Lessons were coded on the…

Developing argumentation-based inquiry practices requires teachers and students to be explicit about classroom norms that support these practices. In this study, we asked: "How can a teacher scaffold the development of argumentation-based inquiry norms and practices in a mathematics classroom?" A primary classroom (aged 9-10) was…

Proportional reasoning as the capacity to compare situations in relative (multiplicative) rather than absolute (additive) terms is an important outcome of primary school mathematics. Research suggests that students tend to see comparative situations in additive rather than multiplicative terms and this thinking can influence their capacity for…

A series of research projects were implemented over seven years to understand and facilitate teachers' experiences in adopting inquiry. An overview of the project, methodology and key outcomes are outlined as a basis for the partnership described in this symposium. We end the paper with a list of recommendations for designing collaborative…

Informal statistical inference (ISI) has been a frequent focus of recent research in statistics education. Considering the role that context plays in developing ISI calls into question the need to be more explicit about the reasoning that underpins ISI. This paper uses educational literature on informal statistical inference and philosophical…

Informal inferential reasoning has shown some promise in developing students' deeper understanding of statistical processes. This paper presents a framework to think about three key principles of informal inference--generalizations "beyond the data," probabilistic language, and data as evidence. The authors use primary school classroom…

Gaps between teaching practices and research recommendations have been well documented. One challenge for research is in understanding the processes and systems that promote a bridging of these gaps. A year-long study with four primary teachers documented ten support mechanisms, or connection levers, that the teachers raised as important for…