Australia
Darwin
Brisbane
Perth
Sydney
Canberra
Adelaide
Melbourne
Hobart
Neale Woods
• Married while at Washington State University
in 1971
• Graduated from WSU in 1971
• Accepted a two year contact with the
Victorian Education Department in August
1971
• Celebrated 40 years of teaching in 2014
• Currently employed three days a week at the
Distance Education Centre Victoria
• Celebrated 44th wedding anniversary in 2015
• Daughter and two grandchildren living in
Adelaide
• Son living in Melbourne
• Derive Consultant from 1994
• Accredited T3 Australia National Trainer
Australian Curriculum
• Different curriculum for each state but
working towards a National Curriculum
• University entry based on Year 12 results
• The majority of assessment is based on endof-year state assessed examinations
Victorian Curriculum and
Assessment Authority (VCAA)
In Victoria, the equivalent of the High School
Diploma is the Year 11 and 12 Victorian
Certificate of Education (VCE)
Year 11 subjects are at the Units 1 and 2 level
Year 12 subjects are at the Units 3 and 4 level
Victoria has three levels of
Year 12 Mathematics
• Specialist Mathematics – primarily vectors,
complex numbers, advanced calculus
applications and mechanics
• Mathematical Methods – primarily
graphing, calculus methods and probability
• Further Mathematics − primarily statistics
and business related mathematics
Study Design from 2002 to 2005
• Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical
Methods and Further Mathematics all had
two end of year examinations of 1.5 hours
duration.
• Graphic and scientific calculators were
allowed for both examinations.
Computer Algebra Systems (CAS)
With the introduction of Computer
Algebra Systems (CAS), the Victorian
Curriculum Assessment Authority
(VCAA) ran pilot courses to assess the
impact that this technology had on
student learning.
Pilot CAS courses from 2002 to 2005
• During these years, pilot Mathematical
Methods (CAS) courses were run using various
CAS technologies.
• During the pilot period and the transition
period, there were two Mathematical
Methods courses for students to select from:
• Mathematical Methods
• Mathematical Methods (CAS)
Mathematical Methods
For the MM course, the assumed
technology was an approved non-CAS
graphics calculator.
Mathematical Methods (CAS)
For the MMCAS course, the assumed
technology was initially an approved CAS
calculator (2002) then an approved CAS
calculator or software (2003 to 2005).
Various CAS options were trialled in
different schools.
Transition to CAS
2006 to 2009
The transition to CAS years were originally
set for 2006 to 2008 but this was extended
for one year to enable teachers additional
time to learn about CAS.
Transition to CAS
2006 to 2009
The introduction of the subsequent
technology free and technology assumed
examination structure followed the release
of a major directions/discussion paper and
extended consultation.
Transition to CAS
2006 to 2009
During this period, the three subjects had
the following restrictions on use of
technology during the examinations.
Specialist Mathematics
• A one hour technology free exam and a two hour
approved graphics calculator or CAS assumed
exam.
• Questions on the technology assumed exam were
set so that where technology was applicable they
were graphics calculator/CAS functionality
neutral.
Mathematical Methods
• Two equivalent subjects were offered during
this period: Mathematical Methods and
Mathematical Methods (CAS).
• The courses were very similar but
Mathematical Methods (CAS) included
additional content such as functional
equations and matrices.
Mathematical Methods
• MM and MMCAS − A 1 hour common
technology free exam
• MM – a 2 hour technology assumed but
non-CAS exam (i.e. graphics calculators)
• MMCAS – a 2 hour approved CAS
assumed exam
Around 80% of the questions were common
to the MM and MMCAS exams.
Further Mathematics
• Two 1.5 hour CAS permitted exams
• Technology questions were CAS neutral.
i.e. capable of being completed using
either a graphics or a CAS calculator.
School Assessed Coursework
• All three courses have 34% of internal School
Assessed Coursework (SAC).
• Students complete five assignments/tests
during the year that are corrected and
moderated by the teachers in each school.
• The results from each school are standardised
and aligned with the end of year examination
results.
Study Designs from 2010 to 2015
The non-CAS Mathematical
Methods subject is no longer
offered so Mathematical
Methods(CAS) is now referred to as
Mathematical Methods.
Study Designs from 2010 to 2015
• Specialist Mathematics – a 1 hour technology
free exam and a 2 hour approved CAS
assumed exam
• Mathematical Methods – a 1 hour technology
free exam and a 2 hour approved CAS
assumed exam
• Further Mathematics – two 1.5 approved CAS
assumed exams
Other States
Western Australia
• Changed over to CAS at the start
of 2009.
• One 3 hour exam. First 1 hour is
technology free. Remaining 2
hours are CAS assumed.
New South Wales
Scientific calculators only permitted on
the exams
Tasmania
CAS calculators permitted on the exams
Queensland
• A technology component in mathematics
is assumed but the school can select
either CAS or non-CAS
• Assessment is not externally assessed
South Australia and
the Northern Territory
• CAS technology not permitted on
examinations, only graphics
calculators
• Awaiting the arrival of the National
Curriculum
ACARA
• Australian Curriculum, Assessment and
Reporting Authority (ACARA) is
responsible for a national curriculum
from kindergarten to Year 12.
• ACARA have been informed of the 2010
to 2012 review of the VCE mathematics
study.
National Curriculum
Four Mathematics subjects at both
Year 11 and Year 12.
• Specialist Mathematics
• Mathematical Methods
• General Mathematics
• Essential Mathematics
This is the goal but states still have
their own separate curricula.
Successful Transition to CAS in Victoria
• Separate technology free and technology
permitted examinations for higher level
mathematics has been the key to this success.
• Encouraging the use of CAS technology for the
lower level mathematics has empowered
students with the tools to achieve success.