Encouraging Risk-Taking in Year 12 Girls Through a Collaborative Approach to Solving Non-Routine Questions in Higher Level Mathematics · ICGS Research Library

Title

Encouraging Risk-Taking in Year 12 Girls Through a Collaborative Approach to Solving Non-Routine Questions in Higher Level Mathematics

Author

Janet Hunter (2023)

Year Published

2023

Description

Maximising examination readiness for Year 12 students between the internal “trial” examinations and the final state matriculation examinations six school weeks later is always a challenge, especially in the higher levels of Mathematics. Traditionally girls complete a practice paper each week, correct their mistakes, then move onto the next one. They do not necessarily master the techniques they were unable to do or got wrong in the practice papers, leaving them open to the same errors in the final examination. This research project addresses this preparation loophole for a group of ten pre-matriculation girls studying the elite course, Mathematics Extension 2 in New South Wales, Australia. Three elements for girls’ success were identified and implemented as the action of this action research project: first, facilitating Year 12 girls to work collaboratively on mathematical problems to increase confidence; second, working on difficult, non-routine mathematical problems; and third, not providing solutions to mathematical problems. The results are encouraging and suggest that confidence increases by working collaboratively to the point where girls are fearless and ready to attempt questions individually; the skill required for success in the final external matriculation examination.