#Mathsconf2015

I had a nifty fourth dimension at La Salle Education's National Maths Teacher Conference inward Birmingham yesterday. It was good worth going upwards at that topographic point on Fri nighttime - I had a fantastic evening, enjoying a delicious dinner as well as the society of swain tweeters @solvemymaths, @tessmaths, @7puzzle, @MrPatelMaths and @DocendoTim. I was inward the bar at midnight to regard the inaugural of all of Pi Day but upwards vivid as well as early on the adjacent morning time to brand the in conclusion preparations for my workshop (with a slightly sore caput due to besides much vino the nighttime before...). I was a purse of nerves over breakfast pastries but thankfully the lovely Craig Barton (an experienced as well as pop conference presenter) reassured me amongst words of wisdom.

@MissBsResources, me as well as @MrPatelMaths at 12.01am on Pi Day -
cheers to @El_Timbre for the posters and @jennypeek for the photo

At the conference, I actually enjoyed David Thomas' session '3 Techniques You Should Know (but in all likelihood don't)'. It was helpful to regard expert examples of bar modelling, algebra tiles as well as double lay out lines. I already role some aspects of these methods inward my pedagogy but the presentation gave me enough of nutrient for thought as well as at that topographic point were moments where I could actually regard the advantages of these approaches. In the 2nd session I saw Robert Wilne speak close developing reasoning. He was an entertaining speaker amongst lots of expert ideas including his 'olympic podium' of operations.

The TweetUp at luncheon was fun - Bruno Reddy did a nifty chore organising it. It was amazing to regard so many teachers trying to solve @solvemymaths' puzzles on 'the dorsum of an envelope' so to speak. His puzzles are awesome but are all pretty challenging. The few that I've tried to solve bring involved a long menstruum of concentration as well as frustration (followed yesteryear satisfaction, so good worth it!). I was actually impressed to regard teachers getting stuck into these tricky problems.

TweetUp: @MistryMan6's selfie amongst me as well as the lovely @MissBsResources 

I presented inward the in conclusion session of the twenty-four hours to an audience of some 100. The aim of the session was to utter over unlike approaches to pedagogy topics such every bit sequences, linear graphs, surds as well as quadratics. I had lots of ideas to portion as well as I was pleased that I learnt fifty-fifty to a greater extent than methods from delegates afterward the session. It was a wonderful chance to swap pedagogy ideas (this is the kind of collaboration nosotros should all produce at schoolhouse but never acquire time). I was careful non to label whatsoever methods every bit correct or wrong, but but to advise alternatives as well as - hopefully - encourage people to mean value close their dependent champaign noesis as well as delivery. I was pleased to regard @danicquinn as well as @BodilUK enthusiastically discussing methods at the cease of the session.

Me presenting at MathsConf III - thanks @DrBennison for the photo

If y'all were at my session so you'll already bring a re-create of this workbook which is total of links, as well as here's the presentation as promised. If y'all weren't at my session so the presentation won't brand much sense, but I'll write a weblog postal service before long to explicate all. Give me a calendar week or 2 to acquire it written though!

It was squeamish to cease the twenty-four hours amongst a quick sip at the bar amongst @letsgetmathing, @MrPatelMaths as well as @MrKMorrison. One of the best things close these conferences is coming together upwards amongst like-minded maths teachers who enthusiastically hand upwards a Sabbatum for professional person development. Over the weekend it was nifty to select grip of upwards amongst people I met at the in conclusion conference as well as I enjoyed coming together lots of novel people too.

Many cheers to the La Salle squad for the tremendous attempt they lay into organising the conference. I'm distressing that I in all likelihood won't hold upwards at the adjacent i (it's on 20^th June - the weekend of my 10^th marriage ceremony anniversary) but I volition definitely hold upwards at MathsConf V inward September as well as I'm already looking forrard to it.

Me inward the conference programme :)

Best mug ever? Thanks @solvemymaths

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Blog posts that review/mention my workshop:
@BodilUK
@DrBennison
@WorkEdgeChaos 
@mrprcollins