Conference synopsis_MAVCON2026 - Flipbook - Page 131
G26 BRINGING VM NUMERACY TO LIFE –
LEARNING FOR REAL-WORLD OUTCOMES
Sub-category: Mathematical content and concepts
Corey Campbell, Parkdale Secondary College
Y9 - Y12
Vocational Major Numeracy prepares students for life beyond
the classroom. We recognise these students as capable,
practical leaners who need real-world problems, real world
tools and solutions. This session grounds numeracy teaching
in authentic contexts where mathematics actually lives,
including workplaces, finance, travel, health, and data.
Real world problems deserve real world tools. VM Numeracy
students should be equipped in using spreadsheets, AI, and
digital platforms that reflect the ways adults use mathematics
in everyday life and work.
This session explores tasks that address all three VM
Numeracy outcomes through genuine, contextualised
problem-solving and practical tasks. Teachers will see how
AI can help students to interrogate data beyond traditional
methods, model financial decisions, and communicate
mathematical reasoning without replacing their thinking.
When numeracy tasks reflect their real lives and incorporate
the tools they encounter beyond school gates, their
engagement and understanding naturally flows.
Key takeaways:
1. Real world numeracy tasks using digital tools (including AI
and spreadsheets) that authentically address all three VM
outcomes.
2. AI as a thinking partner, prompting students to interrogate,
verify, and communicate their mathematical reasoning in
meaningful contexts.
3. VM numeracy tasks grounded in genuine contexts and
real-world digital tools.
G27 YOU’VE FOUND THE LESSON...
NOW HOW DO YOU TEACH IT?
Sub-category: Mathematical content and concepts
Jessica Kurzman,
F - Y10
A well-designed lesson plan gives you a strong head start,
and with the growing popularity of pre-made lesson plans,
teachers are saving valuable time in planning and preparation.
However, the real impact on student learning comes from
knowing how to teach it most effectively. This workshop
moves beyond simply following a lesson plan to developing
a deeper understanding of the mathematical ideas that
underpin it, so you can shape each lesson into exactly what is
needed for your students.
Participants will explore practical strategies to build the
content knowledge needed to teach pre-made lessons
with confidence. You’ll walk away with actionable ideas and
strategies that can be applied immediately, helping you
strengthen your own understanding and bring lessons to
life with clarity, purpose, and impact for improved student
learning.
Key takeaways:
1. A clear understanding of a practical process for
strengthening pre-made lesson plans to suit your own
classroom context.
2. Insight into the research underpinning this process and how
it enhances teaching effectiveness and student learning.
3. Hands-on experience applying the process to adapt and
refine lesson plans for immediate classroom use.
G28 TEACHING AT FULL THROTTLE
Sub-category: Digital technologies
Sherwyn Saldanha and Shelley Pendlebury, John Paul
College
Y5 - Y12
Whether you are completely new to integrating technology
into mathematics and STEM or already beginning to explore
its possibilities, this hands-on workshop will help you take the
next step. We will share how our own Rover journey began by
borrowing equipment and starting small, demonstrating that
you do not need to be an expert to get started.
Participants will experience practical activities including
Turtle-style programming, Rover races, graphing and
transformations, with examples drawn from Year 7 through to
senior secondary mathematics and STEM classes.
Plenty of time will be provided to experiment with the
technology, build confidence and ask questions. Participants
will leave with practical ideas and resources to support their
own Rover journey.
131
