Kate Quane is an Early Career Researcher and Lecturer in Mathematics and Science Education with UniSA Education Futures. One of Kate’s research interests is in the development and enactment of attitudes towards mathematics. Kate has developed qualitative research techniques, a conceptual framework and analytical tools to successfully research attitudes towards mathematics. Her PhD study involves using qualitative research methods to ascertain 7 – 9 year-olds attitudes towards mathematics and the factors influencing their attitude towards mathematics. The research used children’s drawings, a written description of their drawing, semi-structured interviews and observations of mathematical learning experiences allowing for a multi-perspective exploration of children’s attitudes. The study investigated an under-researched area of mathematics education and makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the range and nature of attitudes towards mathematics held by children, which has implications for their engagement with learning mathematics. As well as contributing to the literature on attitudes, the findings have provided insights into other areas of research such as the roles played by Growth Mindset beliefs, multiple representations and students’ classroom behaviours during mathematical tasks. Kate other research interests include understanding the affective domain, particularly students’ attitudes; how different teaching approaches impact students’ learning; the use of children’s drawings as artefacts in education; semiotics and the implementation of digital learning technologies. Kate taught in a range of settings and contexts in Australia and was a Curriculum Leader of Mathematics. Kate contributed to the review of the General Mathematics curriculum for Queensland and has contributed to several secondary mathematics textbooks.
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