News

A maths program developed by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is benefitting TAFE construction students in Mt Isa.

QUT Faculty of Education senior lecturer Dr Bronwyn Ewing said YuMi Deadly Maths was being incorporated into the Certificate I Civil Construction course enabling students to refine their maths knowledge and construction skills by designing and building structures at Lake Moondarra.

Dr Bron Ewing and Dr Vinesh Chandra from QUT's YuMi Deadly Centre are currently working on the project with TAFE trainer Mr Mick Murphy.

Dr Ewing said QUT's YuMi Deadly Centre (YDC) in the Faculty of Education was currently bringing the revolutionary maths program to more than 50 primary and secondary schools across Queensland and achieving solid results.

"YuMi Deadly Maths takes students out of the classroom and uses everyday objects and experiences to teach them about maths, for example, learning about angles by doing a 360° turn on a skateboard," she said.

"The project with TAFE takes this program to a whole new level.

"It's a four-year project, funded by the Australian Research Council Linkage Grant Scheme, that enables us to study the interaction between Vocational Education and Training, Indigenous learning, community and employment culture and expectations with respect to numeracy and vocational application.

"Mr Murphy has been enormously supportive of the project allowing us to observe, film, interview and digitally document his training practice as he works with the students.

"We then use the experience we've gained in developing the YuMi Deadly Maths programs to advise Mr Murphy on how to refine his teaching methods and enhance the mathematics learning opportunities of his students."

Dr Ewing said students were encouraged and taught maths in relation to specific construction tasks, such as building pathways and constructing picnic areas.

"Rather than studying a body of mathematical knowledge, we are applying it directly through the tasks undertaken through the civil construction course," she said.

"Because Mr Murphy adopts a strong team approach with his students, where high expectations, respect and trust are evident, students are intrinsically motivated to try out their maths and construction learning without fear of failure.

"This provides students with a positive self-concept as learners who are able to go on and achieve their Certificate I in Civil Construction and employment."

Mr Murphy works closely with Isa Skills, a not-for-profit organisation which delivers training programmes into the community for disability, employment and youth and training services. He has a solid track record with guiding students into employment positions in the Mt Isa community.

Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901 rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au