Dr Chris Matthews, Griffith University, ATSIMA, QLD presents for Connect with Maths Make it count with Indigenous Learners community. Quality Teaching and Learning for Indigenous Learners [Make it count with Indigenous Learners] The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance (ATSIMA), formally incorporated in 2015, aims to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in mathematics. This presentation will reflect on the learnings from three main projects of ATSIMA: Garma Maths project a partnership with Yirrkala Community School, Eastern Arnhemland; NSW STEM Camp partnership with NSW Department of Education and NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (NSW AECG) and 2014 ATSIMA Conference. Drawing on these experiences, we will explore what it means to have quality teaching and learning in mathematics for Aboriginal students. Dr Chris Matthews is from the Quandamooka people of Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) in Queensland Australia. Chris has received a PhD in applied mathematics from Griffith University and is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University. Chris has undertaken numerous research projects within applied mathematics and mathematics education. More recently, Chris was the patron and expert advisor for the Make It Count Project; a large mathematics education project coordinating education research within clusters of schools across Australia with the specific aim of improving mathematics education for Indigenous students. Currently, Chris is the chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance (ATSIMA) which aims to improve educational outcomes in mathematics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners. Connect with Maths ~ supporting the teaching of mathematics online http://www.aamt.edu.au/Communities

1. Quality Teaching and Learning
for Indigenous Learners
Dr Chris Matthews
Chair, ATSIMA
Senior Lecturer, Griffith School of
Environment, Griffith University

2. Quality Teaching and Learning
• Culturally responsive pedagogy;
– Indigenous learners are more vulnerable to Bad
pedagogy, Good pedagogy will benefit all learners;
– The secret: the ability to link principles of learning
with deep understand of (and appreciation for)
culture.
G.Ladson-Billings (2014) Culturally Relevant Pedagogy 2.0: a.k.a the Remix,
Harvard Educational Review, Spring, 84(1).

3. What is Mathematics?
Reality Maths
Abstraction
Creative
Critical Reflection
Symbols
Cultural Bias

4. Goompi Model: Keeping Connections
Reality Maths
Abstraction
Creative
Critical Reflection
Symbols
Cultural Bias

5. My Promise…..
• NSW STEM Camp
– Collaboration between NSW AECG, NSW DEC and
ATSIMA;
• Garma Maths: Yirrkala Community School
– Two way learning
• 2014 Conference

6. NSW STEM CAMP
• 130 Indigenous school students from across
NSW;
• Multi-age group: Years 5 – 10;
• Travelled in from a huge radius
– Boggabilla, Bourke, Brewarrina, Collarenebri,
Coonamble, Inverell, Moree, Narromine, Taree,
Toronto, Walgett and Wilcannia;

7. NSW STEM CAMP
• How are we being culturally responsive?
– Community where involved in a meaningful way (NSW
AECG);
– Indigenous academics/professionals where involved
throughout the program
• The maths of fire (Assoc. Prof Jason Sharples);
• Quantifying the value of resources (Dr Cass Hunter);
• Fractals (Prof. Rowena Ball)
• Linear Equations (Dr Chris Matthews)
– Other experiences
• Robotics workshop (FIRST, Macquarie University)
• Engineering workshop (Engineer without Borders)

8. Goompi Model: Keeping Connections
Reality Maths
Abstraction
Creative
Critical Reflection
Symbols
Cultural Bias

9. NSW STEM CAMP: Growing Patterns
• Why is this culturally responsive pedagogy?
– Allowing students to express their understanding;
– Making Connection between reality, patterns and
mathematics: two way connection;
– Allowing students to create for themselves;

10. NSW STEP CAMP: Growing Patterns

11. Yirrkala Community School:
Garma Maths
• ACARA: Indigenous cross curriculum priority
– had a “content elaboration” referring to kinship;
– this came from Yirrkala: Garma Maths;
• Kathy McMahon, Banbapuy Whitehead,
Yalmay Yunupingu, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr;
• Stuart Bramston (Principal);
• The story……

12. Djeṯ class Brainstorm
× ÷ − = +
groups
miṯtji
(clan)
left over? (take away)
marrama
djaw’yun
(take it)
manaŋi
(steal it)
number
Ḻakama
nhämuny
ŋayi
(How
many is
this?)
together
rrambaŋi nhina
(sit together)
waŋgany
manapan
(all together)
(Eagle)
2 x 5
waŋgaguma
number two ga
Miṯtji
nhämuny?
= 10
5 x 3 =
groups
Miṯtji
How many?
nhämuny?
Ḻakarama
dhäwu
(Storytelling)
= 15

13. ATSIMA 2014 Conference
• Main themes that emerged from the
conference:
– Culture and Identity;
– Leadership;
– Transition;
– Investment;
– Quality teaching.

14. ATSIMA 2016 Conference
• Value us, Value our education, Value our
future;
• Please register your interest at
www.atsima.com
• Hope to see you there!!!!!