From Isolated Skills and Concepts to Interconnected Thinking
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PRESENTED BYÂ RACHAEL WHITNEY-SMITH
In this session Rachael explores the importance of making connections in Mathematics to deepen students conceptual understanding and strengthen their mathematical learning. Participants will examine strategies for linking concepts within and across strands, real-world contexts, and prior knowledge to build a coherent mathematical framework of understanding.
Research shows that when learners connect ideas to key concepts like quantify, sorting, ordering, equivalence, they develop a deeper understanding and flexibility with mathematical constructs. Through practical examples and discussion, we will highlight how intentional connections foster reasoning and transfer of knowledge.
You will walk away from this session thinking about how creating a connected learning environment transforms mathematics from isolated procedures into meaningful, interconnected ideas.
About Rachael Whitney-Smith
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Rachael Whitney-Smith, is first and foremost a mother of 3 teenage daughters and wishes to acknowledge she is living on Noongar country in WA. She is an experienced educator and curriculum specialist, with a rich history of working in mathematics education and the public sector for over 30 years. Skilled in curriculum development and implementation, learning progressions, teaching and assessment in Mathematics K-12 Education, writing Mathematics and STEM resources, developing and delivering professional learning, and conducting educational research.
Rachael is currently undertaking a Doctoral of Philosophy in Education and is a sessional lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Australia. Rachael is the Curriculum Specialist, Mathematics, at the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). She led the development and review of the F–10 Australian Curriculum: Mathematics and the development of the National Numeracy Learning Progressions Version 3.0.
Rachael is currently leading the realignment and updating of the Australian Curriculum: Senior Secondary Mathematics subjects. Rachael has worked as a Mathematics consultant F-12, a professional officer for the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) and the Executive Officer for the Mathematical Association of Western Australia (MAWA).
