AMAonline Term 4 2026 – Nov 7th
Programme Overview for Term 4 #AMAonline below. The registration form is directly below or there is a link at the bottom of the page. The Form has workshop info but doesn’t include the presenter Bios.
10-10:45am
Choice from two workshops
Introducing the Spotlight workshop: Mathematical Generalising – Julia Crawford, Cognition Education
Generalising is one of the Mathematical and Statistical Processes. When we are teaching and learning maths we are in the business of forming generalisations. Much more than just Algebra … generalising involves seeing the underlying mathematical structure to find insight into what always works (working like a mathematician). In this session I’ll introduce you to the latest Spotlight Workshop: Mathematical Generalising. This ready to use workshop resource is available for you to use with your department or school.
Julia has a passion for supporting teachers to make learning engaging and relevant for all. Her experience includes teaching, facilitating professional learning as well as pre-service teacher education at both primary and secondary level. Julia is a PLD facilitator at Cognition Education and is one of the two co-leads for the Maths 0-10 PLD offered to schools in 2025- 2026.
Playing with Online Manipulatives – Jared Hockly, #AMAonline
Understanding maths ideas can be helped with the aid of manipulatives. Moving from Concrete to Representations (e.g. diagrams, counters …) to Abstract is a useful structure for learning. Manipulatives can be physical or digital and be utilised for representing and exploring situations. In this workshop we’ll consider the digital manipulatives available in Polypad. We’ll orientate ourselves with whats available and how they interact. Along the way we’ll consider, and play with how these can be used: a) for teacher demo, b) for guided student use, and c) for a resource students can dip into using when they see fit.This workshop should be valuable for primary to secondary teachers, from who have never used Polypad, through to those who are already intermediate users.
11-11:45am
Choice from two workshops
Maths is more than just Skills and Drills – Dr Jo Know, MathsEd Consultant & PLD facilitator
Recent revisions to the New Zealand mathematics and statistics curriculum have reinstated mathematical processes. Using an analogy of learning soccer, Jo likens mathematical rich tasks as a game of soccer and compares mathematical processes to the tactical awareness and strategic decision-making required during a game, contrasting this with the “skills and drills” of isolated maths practice taks. In this workshop we will explore different task types and show how rich tasks can be instrumental in activating the processes—investigating, representing, connecting, generalising, and explaining and justifying.
Dr. Jo Knox is an experienced mathematics education consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the primary education industry. She is an education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics Education from the University of Auckland. Dr. Jo Knox currently works independently for her companies, Maths Development Ltd and Maths Made Easy NZ. She is also a consultant for The Teachers’ Institute and The Learner First and an accredited Maths PLD facilitator for the Ministry of Education.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Visualing in Maths – Mona Mishra, Green Bay High School
In this workshop, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of visualising in maths problem solving, positioning visualisation as a powerful mode of reasoning rather than just a drawing aid. Participants will explore how visual tools such as bar models can help students “see the unseen,” deepen conceptual understanding, and support the transition from arithmetic to algebra, while also unpacking potential pitfalls such as misconceptions, cognitive overload, and equity issues. Through some maths problem-solving tasks, analysis of common misconceptions, and sharing of online visual resources and research-based strategies, attendees will develop practical approaches for using visualisation meaningfully and effectively in their own classrooms.
