Instrument Purpose
Pre-Project Student
Survey
Identify students who display a positive attitude towards mathematics, for
possible selection in the case study group.
Pre-Project Benchmark
Task in Mathematics
Provide a benchmark for later comparison in order to have a basis for
assessing changes in student thinking.
Western Australian
Literacy and Numeracy
Assessment (WALNA)
data for each student
Enable selection of students to be confirmed on the basis of a combination
of researcher-generated criteria (Student Survey, Pre-Project Interview) and
standardised testing.
Pre-Project Teacher
Interview
Provide an understanding of the level of experience, commitment to
numeracy teaching, teaching style and general philosophy of project
teachers. Act as a reference point for later comparisons after implementation
of project tasks.
Pre-Project Student
Interview
Provide an understanding of current student thinking about mathematics in
context, the importance of mathematics and how success in mathematics is
judged. Act as a reference point for later comparisons after implementation
of project tasks.
Project tasks
Mathematical
Searches (four ) and
other tasks
Provide students with opportunities to identify, discuss meanings of, and
apply mathematical knowledge in a variety of contexts. Generate work
samples to serve as indicators of student thinking and progress.
Researcher’s
Reflective Journal and
Anecdotal Notes
Record details of observations made during classroom visits to administer
project tasks. These visits occurred at least monthly over a six month period.
Teacher Progress
Interviews
Provide anecdotal information about case study students from the
perspective of the class teacher.
Post-Project
Benchmark Task in
Mathematics
Provide a benchmark for comparison with Pre-Project Benchmark Task in
order to have a basis for assessing changes in thinking.
Post-Project Teacher
Interview
Act as a reference point for comparisons with earlier interview after
implementation of project tasks. Ascertain extent of changes to teacher
thinking about the value of the project tasks.
Post-Project Student
Interview
Act as a reference point for comparisons with earlier interview after
implementation of project tasks. Ascertain extent of changes to student
thinking about the value of the project tasks, mathematical learning in
context, importance of aspects of mathematics, and how mathematical
ability is recognised.