Mr Barton Maths Podcast #145 Research in Action 11: University transition and oral assessments with Paola Iannone
May 16, 2021
Paola Iannone, a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at Loughborough University, dives into the world of university mathematics transitions and oral assessments. She illustrates the pedagogical power of the square root of two while reflecting on her path from student to educator. The discussion spans the cultural differences in assessment practices between the UK and Italy, spotlighting the benefits of oral exams for student confidence and understanding. Iannone emphasizes collaboration among educators to ease the transition for students entering higher education.
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University Transition as Rite of Passage
- The transition to university math is like a rite of passage with necessary struggles.
- Supporting students to overcome these challenges helps them adapt rather than avoiding difficulties.
Promote Conceptual Revision Early
- Encourage A-level students to develop revision strategies focused on conceptual understanding.
- Stimulate mathematical conversations rather than just practicing past papers.
Oral Math Exams in Schools
- In some European countries, school math assessments include spontaneous oral exams in front of the whole class.
- Students solve problems on the board and answer questions about their reasoning in real time.