Investigating and improving post - 16 mathematics learning a collaboration with Oxford University Press

Education in mathematics is important, Governments are concerned about the STEM pipeline, we need
mathematically skilled individuals to become the next generation of engineers,scientists teachers and
researchers.
Mathematics is now the most widely studied Alevel the UK has recently committed to
providing mathematical education for all students to age18 and research organisations are deliberately
upskilling their staff and students.
Mathematics is distinctive, Mathematical text differs even from scienc text,much of its meaning is
contained in equations,its focus is on deductive arguments and procedures rather than facts and its graphical images represent not physica objects but abstract relationships.
Research questions
1.What individual differences in reading behaviours distinguish effective from ineffective reading of
post 16mathematics?
a. When do students choose to engage with which resources,how do they use them and how is this influenced by teacher instriction
b. What Characterises students behaviour when reading specific mathematical texts and how
effective is the consequent learning?
2.How can we promote effective mathematical reading?
a.Can changing aspects of text design(e.g.layout,highlighting,graphics,colour,symbols)
improve learning,in the short term and in the long term?
b.Can changing instructional guidance (e.g.providing self explanation training) improve
learning,in the short term and in the long!term?
c.Which approach or combination of approaches is the most effective?