University of Southern Queensland maths lecturer awarded

University of Southern Queensland maths lecturer Melissa Fanshawe has won an award for innovation in maths education.

University of Southern Queensland maths lecturer Melissa Fanshawe (middle) displays her award, accompanied by ASCILITE treasurer Allan Christie (left) and president Dominique Parrish.

University of Southern Queensland maths lecturer Melissa Fanshawe has won an award for her fresh and innovative approach to maths education.

Mr Fanshawe, a lecturer in mathematics curriculum and pedagogy, earned an innovation award from the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education recently.

She was recognised for using USQ’s learning management system, StudyDesk, to foster a positive maths mindset and to ensure that her students, who are studying teacher education, were engaged and supported.

“I was able to create a supportive learning environment so all my students felt connected and able to adopt a positive attitude towards maths to help build their confidence,” she said.

Ms Fanshawe, a former public school deputy principal who joined USQ two years ago, said that teachers did not need to be maths experts to teach the subject well.

“Not all teachers consider themselves to be a math person, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be good at teaching maths,” she said.

“I encourage pre-service teachers who have some anxiety towards maths to find fun and practical ways they could integrate maths in the classroom to make it more interesting.”

Ms Fanshawe said she had also seen USQ students whose attitude to maths turned around when they came to university and enrolled in a teacher training course.

“Many of my students have told me that they didn’t like maths in school but found the course enjoyable and that their perception of maths had completely changed,” she said.

“If our students become excited about maths, then they will be able to spread that on to lots of other students throughout their teaching careers.”