Active mathematics in classrooms : fractions, going beyond area models to assist student learning

There is evidence from research that while many students find the area model to be the easiest to learn, but when this is the only model presented, students have difficulties. So very few of the activities in this workshop assume an area model approach to fractions, even though area models are the most popular model fractions (in textbooks, workbooks, teacher's guides, posters and equipment). Findings of recent research (carried out in Brunei Darussalam) have suggested that an area model approach to fractions does not generate knowledge, concepts, and imagery that readily transfers to non-area model applications of fractions (like two-fifth of a group of 10 objects; or two-thirds of a glass of orange juice). This workshop aims to improve teachers' knowledge and confidence to help primary school pupils develop fraction concepts and skills that will not only help the pupils do well in school assessment exercises but also with applications in real-life situations.