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Dr Jennifer Way

BEd(Primary)(UWS), MEd(UWS), PhD(UWS)

Senior Lecturer, Mathematics Education

Associate Dean Undergraduate & Preservice Programs (Policies & Programs)

Email:

Phone: +61 2 9351 6272

Fax: +61 2 9351 2606

Building.Room: A35.818

Research interests

Learning sciences; psychology of education

  • Learning technologies and new media
  • Learning, cognition and motivation

Research on teaching and learning

  • Teacher education and professional learning

Keywords

mathematics, primary, technologies, engagement, pedagogy, teacher development


Professional biography

Jennifer Way is a researcher in effective pedagogies for mathematics education, with particular interests in educational technologies and the role of motivation and engagement in student learning, and lecturers in primary and early childhood mathematics curriculum and pedagogy.

Jenni taught in NSW primary schools for 13 years before beginning to lecture in mathematics education at the University of Western Sydney. Involvement with schools and teachers has continued through research and professional development projects such as Numeracy Research in NSW Primary Schools (DEST 2001-2002), Australian Government Quality Teaching Program (2003-2004), and Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (DEST 2005-2006).

As Director of the national Primary Mathematics Project for the University of Cambridge and the Royal Institution of Great Britain in England (1998–2000), a key role was to further develop the NRICH Mathematics website and research its impact on mathematics learning and teaching. This innovative project, endorsed by the UK government’s National Numeracy Strategy led the way in developing new approaches to nurturing mathematical talent.

A major research and development achievement has been the design and development of numerous multimedia learning objects to promote mathematics engagement and learning in Australian and New Zealand schools, through the federally funded project - The Learning Federation (DEST 2002-2006). Subsequent major contributions have been made to projects focused on the pedagogically sound use of digital technologies, including the national online-resource initiatives Teaching Teachers for the Future (2011) and Top Drawer Teachers (2012).

Jenni is currently an Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) and is a member of the University of Sydney Academic Board (Undergraduate Studies Committee).


Awards

  • Faculty of Education and Social Work Teaching Excellence Award 2007

  • University of Western Sydney IRIS grant 2004

  • CommFoundation Research Grant. With Colin Webb 2004-2005

  • Australian Research Council Linkage grant (2007-2011) MYTEAM Project - Middle Years Transition, Engagement & Achievement in Mathematics. With Prof. Andrew Martin, A/Prof. Janette Bobis & A/Prof. Judy Anderson

  • Australian Research Council Linkage grant (2011-2014) ETM Project - Empowering Teachers of Mathematics. With A/Prof. Janette Bobis & A/Prof. Judy Anderson


Professional and community roles

  • Volunteer lecturer for African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Schools Enrichment Centre (South Africa 2005, 2008, 2013)

  • Institute for Innovation in Science & Mathematics Education - Management Committee

  • The University of Sydney Foundation Program Board of Studies (2010-2012)


Current projects

  • MYTEAM - Middle Years Transition Engagement and Achievement in Mathematics (ARC Linkage LP0669360)
  • Empowering teachers of middle-years mathematics: becoming self-directed learners. (ARC Linkage LP110200596)
  • The Mathematics, Engagement, Learning and Technology Nexus

Current research students

Project title Degree Research student
OOSH education and transition to high school PhD Johanna Johns
Investigating the number sense challenge through the impact of teacher knowledge and practice on 'at risk' early mathematical learners. PhD Hannah Newman
Developing computational fluency in multi-digit multiplication. (Associate supervisor) EdD Kristen Tripet
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of DER/ICT usage in science classrooms. MEd(Res) Timothy Sloane
Teachers' Conceptual Understanding of Mathematics PhD Christine Mae
The Use of Multiple Media Tools to Facilitate Preschool's Numeracy Development PhD Kamariah Abu Bakar

Selected publications

Books

  • Way, J. & Bobis, J. (Eds.). . (2011). Fractions: Teaching for Understanding. Adelaide: Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.
  • Way, J. & Beardon, T. (Eds.) . (2003). ICT and Primary Mathematics. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.

Book chapters

  • Way, J. (2011). Developing fraction sense using digital learning objects. In J. Way & J. Bobis (Ed.), Fractions: Teaching for Understanding (pp. 153–166), Adelaide: Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.
  • Bobis, J., Anderson, J., Martin, A., & Way, J. . (2011). A model for mathematics instruction to enhance student motivation and engagement.. In D. Brahier (Ed.), Motivation and Disposition: Pathways to Learning Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Seventy-third Yearbook (2011) Reston,Va: NCTM.
  • Way, J. (2009). Emerging E-Pedagogy in Australian Primary Schools. In Leo Tan Wee Hin & R. Subramaniam (Ed.), Handbook of Research on New Media Literacy at the K-12 Level: Issues and Challenges (pp. 588–606), London: IGI Global.
  • Anderson, J, Bobis, J, Way, J. (2008). Teachers as learners: Building knowledge in and through the practice of teaching mathematics. In H. Forgasz, A. Barktasas, A. Bishop, B. Clarke, S. Keast, W.T. Seah, P. Sullivan, S. Willis, (Ed.), Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2004-2007 (Vol. 12, pp. 313–334), Rotterdam, Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
  • Way, J. & Beardon, T. (2003). Expanding horizons: The power of the Internet to enhance learning. In J. Way & T. Beardon (Ed.), ICT and Primary Mathematics (pp. 91–121), Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.
  • Way, J. & Beardon, T. (2003). Digital technologies + mathematics education = Powerful learning environments. In J. Way & T. Beardon (Ed.), ICT and Primary Mathematics (pp. 1–6), Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.
  • Beardon, T. & Way, J. (2003). ICT as a tool for learning: Where are we going? . In J. Way & T. Beardon (Ed.), ICT and Primary Mathematics (pp. 153–162), Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.

Journal articles

  • Martin, A.J., Anderson, J., Bobis, J., Way, J., & Vellar, R. (2012). Switching on and switching off in mathematics: An ecological study of future intent and disengagement amongst middle school students. Journal of Educational Psychology , 104(1), 1–18.
  • Wyburn, L. & Way, J. . (2012). Student perceptions of the influence of IWBs on their learning in mathematics. Australian Educational Computing , 27(1), 23–28.
  • Martin, A.J., Bobis, J., Anderson, J., Way, J., & Vellar, R. (2011). Multilevel variance in psycho-educational phenomena: Exploring differences across constructs. German Journal of Educational Psychology / Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie.
  • Way, J. (2008). Using questioning to stimulate mathematical thinking. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 13(3), 22–27.
  • Way, J. & Webb, C. (2007). A framework for analysing ICT adoption in Australian primary schools. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 23(4), 559–582.
  • Way, J., & Webb, C. (2007). Innovation with e-Learning in Australian Primary Schools. International Journal of Technology Knowledge and Society , 3(5), 105–116.
  • Way, J, Webb, C. (2006). Mathematics, numeracy and e-learning. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 11(3), 19–24.
  • White, A, Way, J, Perry, B, Southwell, B. (2006). Mathematical Attitudes, Beliefs and Achievement in Primary Pre-service Mathematics Teacher Education.. Mathematics Teacher Education and Development, 7, 33–51.
  • Way, J. & Beardon, T. (2001). The power of the Internet to challenge and inspire: the NRICH project. The Australian Mathematics Teacher , 57(3), 22–29.
  • Beardon, T., Jared, L. & Way, J. (1999). Mathematical enrichment for gifted students - NRICH, the Online Maths Club. The Australian Journal of Gifted Education, 8(2), 20–26.
  • Relich, J., Way, J. & Martin, A. (1994). Attitudes to teaching mathematics: Further development of a measurement instrument. Mathematics Education Research Journal , 6(1), 56–69.

Conference papers

  • Newman, H. & Way, J. . (2009). Teacher perception and motivational style.. In R. Hunter, B. Bicknell, & T. Burgess Crossing divides (Proceedings of the 32nd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia). (2pp. 403–410). Palmerston North, NZ, July 2009.
  • Way, J. . (2009). Reflection in self-assessed online discussion.. In R. Hunter, B. Bicknell, & T. Burgess Crossing divides (Proceedings of the 32nd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia). (2pp. 571–578). Palmerston North, NZ: MERGA, July 2009.
  • Way, J., Johns, S., Lilley, E., Mauric, L., Ochs, L. & Ruster, C. (2009). Interactive Whiteboards and Pedagogy in Primary Classrooms. In P. Jeffery AARE International Education Research Conference - 2009. Canberra, 29 November-3 December.
  • Way, J. (2009). Emerging e-pedagogy: new teaching for new learning. In International Conference on Primary Education. Hong Kong Institute of Education, 25-27 November 2009.
  • Way, J. . (2009). Umm… I think we’re lost! Pre-service teachers’ perception of children’s understanding of fractions.. In J. Novotna & H. Moraova The Development of Mathematical Understanding: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Elementary Mathematics Teaching. (pp. 248–255). Prague, Czech Republic, November 2009.
  • Way, J, Bobis, J, Anderson, J, Martin, A.J. (2008). Middle years transition, engagement and achievement in mathematics: The MYTEAM project. In Figueras O, Cortina JL, Alatorre S, Rojano T, Sepulveda A International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of PME 32 and PME – NA XXX (pp. 401–408). Morelia, Mexico, 17-21 July 2008.
  • Way, J. & Rowe, L. (2008). The role of scaffolding in learning design of multimedia learning objects. In 11th International Congress on Mathematics Education: Topic Study Group 22 - New Technologies in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. Monterrey, Mexico, July.
  • Way, J, Webb, C. (2007). Pedagogy, Innovation and e-Learning in Primary Schools. In Jeffery, PL AARE Conference - 2006 Papers by Papercode (pp. 1–14). Adelaide Australia, 27-30 Nov 2006.
  • Way, J, Southwell, B, White, A, Perry, B. (2006). Attitudes versus achievement in pre-service mathematics teacher education. In Jeffery, PL AARE Education Research. Creative Dissent: Constructive Solutions. Parramatta, 27Nov-1 Dec 2005.
  • Way, J. (2006). Stochastics, digital learning objects and the primary classroom. In A Rossman; B Chance Proceedings of the IASE ICOTS-7 on "Working Cooperatively in Educational Statistics". Salvador, Brazil, 2-7 July 2006.
  • Perry, B., Way, J., Southwell, B., White, A. & Pattison, J. . (2005). Mathematical beliefs and achievement of pre-service primary teachers. In P. Clarkson, A. Downton, D. Gronn, M. Horne, A. McDonough, R. Piece, & A. Roche Building Connections: Research, Theory and Practice. Proceedings of the Twenty-eighth Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (2pp. 625–631).
  • Way, J. (2004). Multimedia Learning Objects in Mathematics Education. In International Congress on Mathematics Education (Topic Study Group 15).
  • Way, J. (2003). The development of children’s reason strategies in probability tasks. In Bragg, L., Campbell, C., Herbert, G. & Mousley, J Mathematics Education Research: Innovation, Networking, Opportunity. Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (2pp. 736–743).
  • Way, J. & Ayres, P. (2002). The instability of young students’ probability notions. In A. Cockburn and E. Nadi Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth International Conference for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (4pp. 394–401).
  • Ayres, P. & Way, J. (2001). The effect of instruction on likelihood misconceptions. In M. van den Heuvel-Panhuizen Proceedings of the 25th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (2pp. 73–80).

Other

  • Way, J., Cavanagh, M. & Morony, W. (2012). Technologies are open mathematical tools, Australian Teacher Technology Magazine. Term 1..
  • Way, J. (2012). Teaching Mathematics: The Long Journey for Teachers, (Editorial). Mathematics Teacher Education and Development. Vol 14(1).
  • Way, J. (2011). The centrality of the teacher in teacher education, (Editorial). Mathematics Teacher Education and Development. Vol 13(2).
  • Way, J. (2010). The importance of teacher knowledge and teacher thinking, (Editorial). Mathematics Teacher Education and Development. Vol 12(1).
  • Ewing, Groundwater-Smith, Mockler, Loughland, Simpson, Smith, Way, Armstrong & Brooks. . (2010). Meta Analysis of Quality Teaching Action Learning Project 2003-2009, Research report prepared for AGQTP New South Wales.
  • Way, J. (2007). Working backwards from graphs, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom: Chance and Data Focus Issue 12(1). pp 14-15.
  • Way, J. (2007). Teacher support needs for effective use of mathematics learning objects: Final Report of an evaluation study, Research report prepared for NSW DET Curriculum Directorate, Mathematics.
  • Way, J. (2007). A smarter calculator! , Vol. 32, No. 1. pp.6-9.
  • Way, J. (2007). Direct a robot, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 12(1). pp. 20-21.
  • Way, J. (2006). Early Years Problem Solving, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 11 (4). pp. 15-17.
  • Way, J. (2006). Polygons on the computer, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 11 (2). pp. 15-17.
  • Webb, C., Way, J. & Brooke, A. (2005). Innovation in Literacy and Numeracy using e-Learning Technologies in Australian Primary Schools, Research report prepared for The Commonwealth Bank Foundation of Australia.
  • Way, J. (2005). The Legs problem – for all ages, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 10(1). pp. 18-20.
  • Payne, P., Pateman, A., Lawes, S. & Way, J. (2004). Connecting assessment and learning: Reflections on the Middle Years Linkages Project, Reflections, 29 (1), pp. 51-53.
  • Way, J. (2004). Cut two triangles, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom 9(4). pp. 20-21.
  • Way, J. (2002). Infinite resources for mathematics enrichment, Reflections, 27 (1), pp. 17-20.
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