Understanding and supporting mathematical wellbeing -

Abstract

Early, middle and early secondary (0 to 15 years)

For over a decade, Dr Julia has dedicated her research to understanding what students value in mathematics and the key factors that enable positive learning experiences. Her recent focus has been on developing a framework of student Mathematical Wellbeing (MWB), which examines the factors that foster positive feelings and engagement in the mathematics class. This MWB framework, a culmination of her extensive research, provides a unique lens for understanding the cognitive, emotional and social factors that shape students' experiences in mathematics classrooms. The framework identifies seven key factors that support MWB:

• Accomplishment
• Engagement
• Relationships
• Meaning
• Perseverance
• Positive emotions
• Cognitions

In this workshop, participants will delve into these seven aspects of MWB through engaging conversations and reflective discussions on the teaching and learning of mathematics. The workshop will also focus on developing a strengths-based language to support teachers and students in cultivating a more positive disposition towards mathematics and addressing the often binary and fixed mindset thinking associated with mathematics.

The second phase of the workshop will be a collaborative co-design process, where teachers will work in teams to develop contextually relevant classroom activities, routines and pedagogical approaches targeting key MWB dimensions. Building on the theoretical grounding provided by the framework, alongside their own experiences, teachers will create classroom strategies and experiences to help foster MWB.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have an enriched conceptual understanding of MWB and a toolkit of strategies to encourage more equitable, supportive mathematics learning environments responsive to all students' wellbeing needs.

Participants will leave equipped with practical ways to reframe mathematics teaching and learning through a wellbeing lens. This positive framing can help students and teachers develop resilience, engagement, and a growth mindset towards mathematics.