Using classroom mathematics tasks to support student learning is the topic of this timely volume. Employing research-based data, the authors focus on teacher practice as well as teacher and student learning and knowledge creation to demonstrate the use of mathematics tasks which promote effective student understanding. Unique in the field, the book provides a thorough, comprehensive guide to the nature of tasks for researchers, teacher educators, curriculum designers, administrators and teachers. Chapters on the effective implementation of mathematics tasks in the classroom, distinct pedagogical concepts related to teaching with mathematics tasks, and sample lessons that clearly demonstrate successful uses for mathematics tasks in the classroom are included. The book is designed to provide a mix of cutting-edge data on task use with concrete examples of successful tasks and implementation tactics. All of the lesson plans and illustrative examples provided have been extensively evaluated and tested in actual learning situations and feature specific suggestions for combating student difficulties and promoting solution pathways. This is a book that is essential for anyone hoping to understand both the importance of mathematics tasks for enhancing student learning and ways in which mathematics tasks can be applied in the classroom to achieve learning goals and objectives.

Autorentext
Peter Sullivan is Professor of Science, Mathematics and Technology at Monash University. His main professional achievements are in the field of research. His recent research includes four Australian Research Council grants funded projects: He is an author of the popular teacher resource Open-ended maths activities: Using good questions to enhance learning that is published in the US as Good questions for math teaching. Doug Clarke is a Professor of Mathematics Education at the Australian Catholic University (Victoria), where he directs the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Research Centre. In recent years, Doug has worked on four Australian Research Council grants, focusing on integrating mathematics and science, the role of tasks in mathematics learning, encouraging student persistence while working on challenging tasks, and providing appropriate support for teachers implementing national curricula, respectively. Doug's professional interests include young children's mathematical learning, using mathematics to explore current events and students' interests, the role of task-based assessment interviews with students, problem solving and investigations, manageable and meaningful assessment, and the professional growth of mathematics teachers. Barbara Clarke is an Associate Professor in Mathematics Education at Monash University (Peninsula Campus) where she teachers primary pre-service teachers. Barbara has considerable experience in conducting and supporting research, and directing or supervising major research projects and contracts. The major focus of her writing and research has been concerned with mathematics teachers, their practice, and their professional development.

Zusammenfassung
This book is about how teachers can use classroom mathematics tasks to support student learning, and presents data on the ways in which teachers used those tasks in a particular research project. It is the product of research findings focusing on teacher practice, teacher learning and knowledge, and student learning. It demonstrates how teachers can use mathematics tasks to promote effective student learning.

Inhalt

Researching Tasks in Mathematics Classrooms.- 2. Perspectives on Mathematics, Learning and Teaching.- 3. Tasks and Mathematics Learning. 4. Using Purposeful Presentational Tasks.- 5. Using Mathematical Tasks Arising from Contexts.- 6. Using Content-Specific Open-Ended Tasks.- 7. Moving from the Task to the Lesson: Pedagogical Practices and other Issues.- 8. Constructing a Sequencing of Lessons.- 9. Students' Preferences for Different Types of Mathematics Tasks.- 10. Students Perceptions of Characteristics of Desired Mathematics Lessons.- 11. Contrasting Types of Tasks: A Story of Three Lessons. - 12. Conclusions.- 13. A Selection.