1. Introducing the Fractions and Decimals Online Interview www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/fractionsonline

2. Background The Middle Years Numeracy Research Project (1999–2000) found that significant numbers of students in years 5 to 9 experience difficulty with fractions, decimals & multiplicative thinking concepts. One of the clear implications of the research is that early diagnosis and intervention are critical. In January 2007, the Mathematics Online Interview was launched on the DEECD website. It has been proven to be an effective tool in enabling teachers and schools to collect detailed information on students’ understandings of mathematics. The Fractions and Decimals Online Interview will replicate its success for middle years students.

3. Research based A team of highly respected mathematics educators led by Professor Doug Clarke, trialled a variety of rational number tasks with an initial pilot group of 323 year 6 students across a range of Victorian government schools. The set of interview tasks was reduced to 20 so the Interview would be readily accessible to teachers of the middle years, and take approximately 30 minutes to conduct.

4. What is the Interview? One-on-one interview away from the regular classroom 20 questions and sub-questions Should take approximately 30 minutes to conduct Focus is on mental computation and developing flexible strategies Awarding a task requires that the students use an appropriate strategy … not only giving the correct answer Questions ranging from Level 3 – 6 (VELS)

5. Who is the Interview appropriate for? Powerful for all middle years students: Levels 4 – 6 (Years 5 – 10). Excellent to use with high achieving students in Year 4.

6. Areas assessed by the Interview Fractions Decimals Ratio Percentages

7. Example questions from the Interview Students are invited to use pen and paper if they require it.

8. Example questions from the Interview The capacity for students to move cards around as they consider possibilities is a strong feature of this task. Responses must be within 0.1 of 1 to be awarded correct. NOTE: Each card could only be used once.

9. Why use the Interview? Assessment FOR learning Understand individual students’ needs Find out how students ‘think’ and ‘feel’ while doing mathematical tasks Gain insight into student thought process in action Generate detailed profiles showing students’ achievement in relation to overarching ideas Track student growth over time Inform planning for focused teaching at the point of need

10. The Fractions and Decimals Online Interview enables students to showcase their mathematical skills and understandings due to the wide range of tasks within the Interview.

11. The learner at the centre

12. Access via any computer with Internet (Log in with Edumail user name and password) Data stored automatically in one central location Improved and added profiles, including dated achievement of overarching ideas Capabilities to track cohorts across school Different interviews recorded for different year levels Mac & PC compatible Why use an online assessment tool?

13. Profiles Achievement dates are included on Group Profiles to indicate when students achieve an overarching idea. Different sessions allow a record of students’ achievement across the years.

14. Important points for the online interview Firstly, schools must assign a ‘school administrator’ Check the school’s internet browser functionality to ensure settings are set at a fast speed Must create classes first – this is the first admin function listed Source the Cases file for student details to Import Remember to select the right year level to interview in Read the School User Guide!

15. Building on what students already know and are able to do

16. Interview influencing classroom planning Types of tasks become part of classroom programming and learning experiences for students Strategies promoted in the Interview will become powerful in the teaching environment Focus on mental computation rather than formal written equations as the only option Importance of articulating thinking – this should be valued and shared often Use of materials to support students to develop visual images of their thinking – from concrete to abstract over time

17. Additional resources on the Mathematics domain page School User Guide - a comprehensive manual including detailed instructions of all new functionality. Frequently Asked Questions – a list of fourteen of the most commonly asked questions by users of the online interview. Recommended Readings – a list of professional readings, including papers, journal articles and books, supporting understanding of rational number. Big Ideas linked to the Interview tasks – a list of knowledge, skills and behaviours which students may demonstrate if they have connected understandings of rational number ideas. Equipment List – photocopiable materials and cards required to conduct the interview.