TeLePriSM

TeachingandLearningPracticesinSecondaryMathematics

Informationsheetforparticipatingteachers
YouarebeinginvitedtotakepartinaresearchstudyrunbytheUniversityofManchester,andfundedbythe EconomicandSocialResearchCouncil(ESRC).Theprojectissplitintotwodifferentstrands:thefirstinvolvesa surveywhilethesecondfocusesoncasestudiesinvolvinginterviewsandobservationsofmathematicslessons. Thisinformationsheetdetailsthesurveyaspectoftheresearchproject.Beforeyoudecideitisimportantfor you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the followinginformationcarefullyanddiscussitwithothersifyouwish.Pleaseaskifthereisanythingthatisnot clearorifyouwouldlikemoreinformation.Taketimetodecidewhetherornotyouwishtotakepart.Thank youforreadingthis.

Whowillconducttheresearch?
DrMariaPampaka RoomB4.10,EllenWilkinsonBuilding SchoolofEducation UniversityofManchester OxfordRoad Manchester,M139PL Email:maria.pampaka@manchester.ac.uk Tel:01612757213

TitleoftheResearch
Mappingteachingandlearningpracticesinsecondarymathematics

Whatistheaimoftheresearch?
This project aims to break new ground by mapping secondary students learning outcomes and choices including dispositions and attitudes together with the teaching they are exposed to. New understandings of how mathematics pedagogy relates to learner engagement and hence outcomes will be important to both mathematicseducationresearch,andpolicyandpractice.

WhyhaveIbeenchosen?
YouhavebeenchosentotakepartbecauseyourHeadofSchoolorHeadofMathematicsdepartmentagreed totakepartinthisproject.Youshouldnotehoweverthatyourparticipationisentirelyvoluntary.Itisexpected thatmathematicsteachersfromatleast50secondaryschoolswilltakepartinthisstudy.

WhatwouldIbeaskedtodoifItookpart?
If you agree to take part in the survey you will be asked to complete (online) questionnaires (maximum 10 minutes each) about your teaching practices with certain groups (classes) of students. We will need your responsestwiceduringthenextacademicyear(201112):oneatthebeginningandonetowardstheend. The students of these classes will also take part in a survey about their attitudes and engagement with mathematicsaswellastheirperceptionsabouttheteachingtheyreceive.Parents,shouldtheychoosetodo so,canopttheirchild(ren)outfromparticipationwheninformedabouttheproject. Pleasenotethatacompletedquestionnairewillbeconsideredasevidenceofyourwillingnesstoparticipate. Howeveryouwillhavetheoptiontowithdrawfromtheresearchatanytime.

Whathappenstothedatacollected?
Oncecollected,datawillbekeptinsecuredatabases.Inthecaseofhardcopyquestionnaires,responseswillbe entered onto relevant databases and hard copies will be kept in locked drawers until the completion of the project(forabout2yearsafterdatacollection).Afterthat,thehardcopieswillbesecurelyshredded.

Howisconfidentialitymaintained?
Eventhoughyourresponsesareconfidential,wewillneedtocollectsomepersonalinformation(e.g.name) fromyou as thisisvital forlinkingdatasetsacrossthedifferenttimesofdatacollection,aswell asmatching yourresponsestoyourstudentsresponses.Accesstothisinformationwillremainwiththeresearchteamand aftercompletingthethreedatacollectionpointsalldatasetswillbeanonymised.Anydocumentthatmatches identitieswiththedatasetswillbekeptseparatelyfromtheactualdatasetsandlockedinsecurecabinet.

WhathappensifIdonotwanttotakepartorifIchangemymind?
It is entirely your decision whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part you will be given this informationsheettokeep.Ifyoudecidetotakepartyouarestillfreetowithdrawatanytimewithoutgivinga reasonandwithoutdetrimenttoyourself.

WillIbepaidforparticipatingintheresearch?
No arrangements have been made for compensation for taking part in this study. Additionally, given your schoolsagreementtotakepart,youarenotexpectedtoworkoutsideyournormalworkingweek.

Wherewilltheresearchbeconducted?
Theresearchwilltakeplaceatthepremisesofyourschoolviaonlinesurveys.

Willtheoutcomesoftheresearchbepublished?
It is expected that the outcomes of the research will be published in peer reviewed scientific journals, conference proceedings and presentations, and presentations to teacher specific conferences (including the participationofresearchparticipants,withtheirconsent). Writtenfeedbackcanalsobeprovidedtoyouuponrequest.

Contactforfurtherinformation
Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontactMariaPampaka,JaneMortimerorLawrenceWo: RoomB4.10,EllenWilkinsonBuilding SchoolofEducation UniversityofManchester OxfordRoad Manchester,M139PL MariaPampaka(ProjectManager): Email:maria.pampaka@manchester.ac.uk Tel:01612757213 JaneMortimer(ProjectAdministrator): Email:deborah.j.mortimer@manchester.ac.uk Tel:0161 275 3337 (Mon, Tues, Thurs) LawrenceWo(TechnicalSupport): Email:lawrence.wo@manchester.ac.uk Tel:01612753415

Whatifsomethinggoeswrong?
Ifthereareanyissuesregardingthisresearchthatyouwouldprefernottodiscusswithmembersofthe researchteam,pleasecontacttheResearchPracticeandGovernanceCoordinatorbyeitherwritingto TheResearchPracticeandGovernanceCoordinator ResearchOffice ChristieBuilding TheUniversityofManchester OxfordRoad Manchester,M139PL byemailingresearchgovernance@manchester.ac.uk orbytelephoning01612757583or01612758093