[Maths-Education] EAL and maths - PhD Scholarship available at Southampton, 2005-6 onwards

[Keith Jones]

Colleagues (with apologies if you get this more than once)

The advert below appeared in the THES on Friday (November 12). Please
consider passing this information to anyone you think might appreciate it.
Informal enquiries are welcome.

Keith

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University of Southampton
School of Education
Research Degree Scholarship
Deadline 6 December 2004

Applications are invited from high quality potential research students with
a good first degree for MPhil/PhD study starting in 2005/6 focusing on the
following topic:

The impact of talk around strategy games in mathematics for EAL pupils
Supervisors: Keith Jones and Rupert Wegerif
Advisor on EAL issues: Prof Jill Bourne
Project description: The aim of EAL teaching is not simply conversational
competence but also academic competence. Research suggests that induction
into the practice of dialogical reasoning (characterised by questions, the
use of reasons, and shared reflection) can support the acquisition of a more
academic or educated use of language as a cognitive tool for shared enquiry
that can then help open up access to the curriculum. Because computers are
machines, without expectations and with infinite patience, they can provide
a safe context for children to try out ideas. Some existing small-scale
research suggests that the combination of preparing children to talk
effectively together with group strategy games in mathematics could be a
powerful way of inducting children, especially EAL children, into dialogical
reasoning. Through a series of design studies in upper primary and/or lower
secondary school, this project would investigate further the nexus between
EAL, ICT, talk, and mathematics; mapping the specific affordances of
different mathematical games and interfaces; investigating the link between
dialogical reasoning around computers in mathematics, and the mathematical
reasoning aims of the curriculum, as well as aims across the curriculum;
charting changes in language use by learners in mathematics and across the
curriculum and any changes in educational identity.

Applications are particularly welcome from those already holding (or
currently completing) an ESRC Mode 'A' recognised Masters course. Details,
and application forms, can be found on the research section of the School of
Education website at:
http://www.education.soton.ac.uk/research/scholarships0506/