Professor Catherine Attard
Professor,
Dean's Unit, School of Education
Biography
Catherine is a Professor in Mathematics Education within the School of Education. She is a multiple award-winning educator who has transformed teaching and learning in primary mathematics at Western Sydney University for over 16 years. Her philosophy, while straightforward, is transformative: Catherine combines great dedication for teaching engaging mathematics with her own experiences as a primary classroom teacher to motivate and inspire pre-service and qualified teachers. Catherine's research is focused on student engagement with mathematics and issues surrounding the pedagogical practices that influence students' engagement. Catherine is also actively researching contemporary teaching practices through the use of digital technologies, and she is a Chief Investigator on an Australian Research Council Discovery grant investigating the practices of middle leaders in Australian schools. Catherine has won several teaching awards, including a 2016 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Teaching Excellence Award, an Office of Learning and Teaching citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning and the Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Award. She regularly presents workshops and keynotes nationally and internationally and is the President-elect of the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). She is immediate past President of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) a past president of the Mathematical Association of New South Wales (MANSW), and past editor of the professional journal, Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom. Catherine is also the author of the leading mathematics education blog, engagingmaths.com, author of several popular mathematics teacher resource books and co-author of the book Technology-enabled Mathematics Education: Optimising Student Engagement.
This information has been contributed by Professor Attard.
Qualifications
- PhD University of Western Sydney
Professional Memberships
- Mathematical Association of New South Wales (MANSW) (2002)
- Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) (2002)
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) (2012)
- Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (2008)
Awards
- UWS Excellence in Teaching Award 2014-12-09
- College of Arts Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 2010-06-08
- Western Sydney University Distinguished Teaching Fellow 2015-09-15
- Australian Awards for University Teaching, Teaching Excellence Award 2016-12-01
- UWS Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 2012-12-10
- OLT Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 2013-09-17
- Vice-Chancellors Award for Excellence in Teaching: Highly Commended 2011-12-05
Interests
- Primary Mathematics Pedagogy, Technology, Engagement
- Teacher professional learning
Organisational Unit (School / Division)
- Dean's Unit, School of Education
Committees
- Academic Senate
- Education Knowledge Network
Contact
| Email: | C.Attard@westernsydney.edu.au |
|---|---|
| Phone: | (02) 47360 275 |
| Mobile: | |
| Location: | J.1.03 Penrith (Kingswood) |
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Publications
Books
- Attard, C. and Holmes, K. (2020), 'Technology-Enabled Mathematics Education: Optimising Student Engagement', : Routledge 9780815392996.
- Way, J., Attard, C., Anderson, J., Bobis, J., McMaster, H. and Cartwright, K. (2020), 'Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2016-2019', : Springer 9789811542688.
- Sawyer, W., Munns, G., Zammit, K., Attard, C., Vass, E. and Hatton, C. (2018), 'Engaging Schooling: Developing Exemplary Education for Students in Poverty', : Routledge 9781138673519.
- Muir, T., Livy, S., Bragg, L., Clark, J., Fielding-Wells, J. and Attard, C. (2017), 'Engaging with Mathematics through Picture Books', : Teaching Solutions 9781925145175.
- White, A. and Attard, C. (2012), 'Primary mathematics: The future starts today!', : Mathematics Association of New South Wales 9780646589893.
Chapters in Books
- Attard, C., Grootenboer, P., Attard, E. and Laird, A. (2020), 'Affect and engagement in STEM education', STEM Education Across the Learning Continuum: Early Childhood to Senior Secondary, Springer 9789811528200.
- Attard, C., Calder, N., Holmes, K., Larkin, K. and Trenholm, S. (2020), 'Teaching and learning mathematics with digital technologies', Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2016-2019, Springer 9789811542688.
- Attard, C. (2018), 'Mobile technologies in the primary mathematics classroom : engaging or not?', Using Mobile Technologies in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics, Springer 9783319901787.
- Attard, C., Ingram, N., Forgasz, H., Leder, G. and Grootenboer, P. (2016), 'Mathematics education and the affective domain', Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia: 2012-2015, Springer 9789811014178.
- Attard, C. (2015), 'Introducing iPads into primary mathematics classrooms : teachers' experiences and pedagogies', Integrating Touch-Enabled and Mobile Devices into Contemporary Mathematics Education, IGI Global 9781466687141.
- Attard, C. (2014), 'Engaging with the Working Mathematically strand through the use of iPads', Implementing the New NSW Mathematics Syllabus: Off to a Flying Start!, Mathematical Association of New South Wales 9780958662031.
- Attard, C. (2014), 'iPads in the primary mathematics classroom : exploring the experiences of four teachers', Empowering the Future Generation Through Mathematics Education, SEAMEO RECSAM 9789679300369.
- Lomas, G., Grootenboer, P. and Attard, C. (2012), 'The affective domain and mathematics education', Research in Mathematics Education in Australasia 2008-2011, Sense 9789460919688.
- Attard, C. (2012), 'The influence of pedagogy on student engagement with mathematics during the middle years of schooling', Transforming School Mathematics in the 21st Century, Seamo Recsam 9789679300239.
Journal Articles
- Edwards-Groves, C., Attard, C., Grootenboer, P. and Tindall-Ford, S. (2023), 'Middle leading practices of facilitation, mentoring, and coaching for teacher development : a focus on intent and relationality', International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership, vol 19, no 1 .
- Grootenboer, P., Attard, C., Tindall-Ford, S., Edwards-Groves, C. and Ahern, S. (2023), 'Becoming a middle leader : accidental, aspirational, or anointed', Leading and Managing, vol 29, no 1 , pp 43 - 50.
- Grootenboer, P., Tindall-Ford, S., Edwards-Groves, C. and Attard, C. (2023), 'Establishing an evidence-base for supporting middle leadership practice development in schools', School Leadership and Management, vol 43, no 5 , pp 454 - 472.
- Attard, C. and Holmes, K. (2022), 'An exploration of teacher and student perceptions of blended learning in four secondary mathematics classrooms', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol 34, no 4 , pp 719 - 740.
- Holmes, K., Berger, N., Mackenzie, E., Attard, C., Johnson, P., Fitzmaurice, O., O'Meara, N. and Ryan, V. (2022), 'Editorial : the impact of place-based contextualised curriculum on student engagement and motivation in STEM education', Frontiers in Education, vol 6 .
- Kaur, B., Leong, Y. and Attard, C. (2022), 'Teachers as designers of instructional tasks', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol 34, no 3 , pp 483 - 489.
- Attard, C., Berger, N. and Mackenzie, E. (2021), 'The positive influence of inquiry-based learning teacher professional learning and industry partnerships on student engagement with STEM', Frontiers in Education, vol 6 .
- Attard, C. and Holmes, K. (2020), '"It gives you that sense of hope" : an exploration of technology use to mediate student engagement with mathematics', Heliyon, vol 6, no 1 .
- Attard, C. (2018), 'Financial literacy : mathematics and money improving student engagement', Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, vol 23, no 1 , pp 9 - 12.
- Attard, C. (2017), 'Teaching mathematics through picture books', SCAN, vol 36, no 4 , pp 6 - 9.
- Attard, C. (2017), 'Re-engaging with primary mathematics through sustained professional development : a case study', Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, vol 7, no 1 , pp 3 - 18.
- Orlando, J. and Attard, C. (2016), 'Digital natives come of age : the reality of today's early career teachers using mobile devices to teach mathematics', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol 28, no 1 , pp 107 - 121.
- Attard, C. (2016), 'Is current research assisting the implementation of contemporary ICT in the primary mathematics classroom?', Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, vol 6, no 1 , pp 57 - 68.
- Attard, C. (2014), '"I don't like it, I don't love it, but I do it and I don't mind" : introducing a framework for engagement with mathematics', Curriculum Perspectives, vol 34, no 3 , pp 1 - 14.
- Attard, C. (2014), 'Engagement, technology, and mathematics : students' perceptions', Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, vol 4, no 1 , pp 23 - 33.
- Attard, C. (2013), '"If I had to pick any subject, it wouldn't be maths" : foundations for engagement with mathematics during the middle years', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol 25, no 4 , pp 569 - 587.
- Attard, C. (2012), 'Engagement with mathematics : what does it mean and what does it look like?', Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, vol 17, no 1 , pp 9 - 13.
- Attard, C. (2012), 'Transition from primary to secondary school mathematics : students' perceptions', Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, vol 2, no 2 , pp 31 - 41.
- Attard, C. (2012), 'Applying a framework for engagement with mathematics in the primary classroom', Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, vol 17, no 4 , pp 22 - 27.
- Attard, C. (2011), '"My favourite subject is maths. For some reason no-one really agrees with me": Student perspectives of mathematics teaching and learning in the upper primary classroom', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol 23, no 3 , pp 363 - 377.
- Attard, C. (2011), 'Technology in the middle years mathematics classroom: Technology driving pedagogy or pedagogy driving technology?', Reflections, vol 36, no 4 , pp 5 - 6.
- Attard, C. (2011), 'Engagement with mathematics : the influence of teachers', Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal, vol 1, no 1 , pp 31 - 39.
- Attard, C. and Flanagan, L. (2010), 'Investigating ways: Using mathematics investigations to support mathematical thinking in the primary classroom', Reflections, vol 35, no 1 , pp 5 - 8.
- Attard, C. (2008), 'Motivation and engagement in middle school mathematics', Reflections, vol 33, no 1 , pp 23 - 27.
- Attard, C. and Mcdaid, K. (2008), 'Tasks to motivate and engage during the middle years', Reflections, vol 34, no 1 , pp 7 - 11.
Conference Papers
- Thompson, M., Attard, C. and Holmes, K. (2022), 'Primary teachers' mathematical self-concept and its relationship with classroom practice', Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Conference, Launceston, Tas..
- Bragg, L., Attard, C., Muir, T. and Livy, S. (2018), 'Children's literature in the mathematics classroom : a flexible approach to practice', ICMI-East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Attard, C. and Orlando, J. (2014), 'Early career teachers, mathematics and technology : device conflict and emerging mathematical knowledge', Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
- Attard, C. (2013), 'Introducing iPads into primary mathematics pedagogies : an exploration of two teachers' experiences', Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, University of Melbourne.
- Attard, C. and Curry, C. (2012), 'Exploring the use of iPads to engage young students with mathematics', Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Conference, Singapore.
- Attard, C. (2011), 'The influence of teachers on student engagement with mathematics during the middle years', 34th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc., Alice Springs.
- Attard, C. (2010), 'Students' Experiences of Mathematics During the Transition from Primary to Secondary School', The Mathematics Education Research Group of Australia (MERGA33), Fremantle.
- Attard, C. (2009), 'My favourite subject is maths. For some reason no-one really agrees with me : what year 6 students say about mathematics', MERGA32 Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Attard, C. (2009), 'Student Perspectives of Mathematics Teaching and Learning in the Upper Primary Classroom', Third International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMED 2009), Penang, Malaysia.
- Attard, C. (2007), 'Improving the motivation and attitudes of boys in upper primary school through the use of student directed learning: An action research report', Second International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education: CoSMEd 2007, Penang Malaysia.
Other Publications
- 2023, 'Leading Mathematics Improvement in Bathurst and Lithgow Networks: Exploring Teacher Engagement in Mathematics Education', Report
- 2022, 'Inquiry-based Learning Professional Development: Using Australia's Largest Infrastructure Project to Engage Students: Final Report to Sydney Metro', Report
- 2022, 'Project EPIC: Investigating Action Research as Teacher Professional Development', Report
- 2022, 'Practice Changing Practice Professional Development Program: Phase 2 Investigating Impact Final Report', Report
- 2022, 'Parramatta Light Rail Teacher Professional Development Project: Final Report to Transport for NSW', Report
- 2021, 'Improving Financial Capability Among University Students Using a Mobile App: Wallet$mart Project Evaluation', Report
- 2020, 'Practice Changing Practice: Professional Development Program Phase 1 Program Evaluation: Final Report', Report
- 2019, 'Middle Years Mathematics: Improving Teaching and Learning through Action Research', Report
- 2019, 'Fast Tracking the Future Education Program: Sydney Metro Professional Development Project Evaluation', Report
- 2018, 'The Euclid Project: Improving Middle Years Student Engagement With Mathematics Through Action Research: Final Report', Report
- 2016, 'Mathematics + Money = Engagement: Financial Literacy as a Tool to Increase Opportunity and Engagement with Mathematics for Students from Low Socio-Economic Areas: Final Report', Report
- 2016, 'Research Evaluation of Matific Mathematics Learning Resources: Project Report', Report
- 2015, 'Engaging Teachers to Engage Students with Mathematics: Building Teacher Capacity through Sustained Professional Development', Report
Current Projects
| Title: | Inquiry based learning professional development: Using Australia's largest infrastructure project to engage students: Phase 3 |
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| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard and Nathan Berger |
| Years: | 2023-03-27 - 2024-12-31 |
| ID: | P00028629 |
| Title: | Middle leading practices for impacting student learning [Via Griffith University] |
| Funder: |
|
| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2021-01-11 - 2024-12-31 |
| ID: | P00026935 |
Previous Projects
| Title: | Engaging Teachers to Engage Students with Mathematics: Building Teacher Capacity through Sustained Professional Development |
|---|---|
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2013-08-20 - 2016-11-29 |
| ID: | P00021627 |
| Title: | Practice Changing Practice: Leadership Development through Action Research (Phase 1) |
| Funder: |
|
| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard, Rachael Jacobs, Maree Skillen and Annette Sartor |
| Years: | 2019-05-09 - 2020-02-28 |
| ID: | P00025722 |
| Title: | Project EPIC: Investigating Action Research as Teacher Professional Development |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2020-09-10 - 2022-03-31 |
| ID: | P00026751 |
| Title: | Financial Literacy App |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Michelle Cull and Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2019-06-05 - 2021-02-28 |
| ID: | P00025881 |
| Title: | Fast Tracking the Future Education Program: Professional Development and Resource Development for Sydney Metro |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2017-10-30 - 2019-09-27 |
| ID: | P00024562 |
| Title: | Matific Mathematical Learning Resources |
| Funder: |
|
| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2016-01-06 - 2017-03-09 |
| ID: | P00024216 |
| Title: | Parramatta Light Rail Teacher Professional Development Project |
| Funder: |
|
| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard, Nathan Berger and Erin Mackenzie |
| Years: | 2018-10-15 - 2021-06-30 |
| ID: | P00025472 |
| Title: | The Euclid project: Improving Middle Years Student Engagement |
| Funder: |
|
| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2016-12-14 - 2018-04-19 |
| ID: | P00024347 |
| Title: | Inquiry based learning professional development: Using Australia's largest infrastructure project to engage students |
| Funder: |
|
| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard and Nathan Berger |
| Years: | 2020-06-29 - 2022-12-31 |
| ID: | P00026627 |
| Title: | The Impact of (i) Technologies to Support Student Engagement with Mathematics in the Primary Classroom |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard and Geoff Munns |
| Years: | 2011-09-13 - 2012-09-12 |
| ID: | P00020408 |
| Title: | Financial Literacy as a tool to increase opportunity and engagement with mathematics for students from low socio-economic areas |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2014-12-15 - 2016-06-30 |
| ID: | P00022451 |
| Title: | Building the Future: Inquiry-Based Learning and the Bradfield City Centre |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Nathan Berger, Catherine Attard, Kathryn Holmes and Erin Mackenzie |
| Years: | 2022-03-22 - 2023-02-28 |
| ID: | P00027899 |
| Title: | Middle Years Mathematics Project |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard |
| Years: | 2017-08-01 - 2019-03-31 |
| ID: | P00024533 |
| Title: | Practice changing Practice Teacher PD program: Examining the short and long-term effects of sustained professional development |
| Funder: |
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| Western Researchers: | Catherine Attard and Annette Sartor |
| Years: | 2020-03-25 - 2021-03-31 |
| ID: | P00026469 |
Supervision
Professor Attard is available to be a principal supervisor for doctoral projects
Current Supervision
| Thesis Title: | Running the (Digital) Revolution |
|---|---|
| Field of Research: | |
| Thesis Title: | What Key Factors Accelerate the Implementation of Transformational ICT Pedagogy by Teachers in the Primary Classroom |
| Field of Research: | |
| Thesis Title: | The Creative Space: Student Engagement and Creative Learning |
| Field of Research: | |
| Thesis Title: | The Use and Influence on Online Resources in the Home Education Environment |
| Field of Research: | |
| Thesis Title: | What happens when you become the change you hope to see? How can you apply the MeE Framework across a School, creating an 'insider school' that positively impacts the learning experiences, environments and learning outcomes of all students |
| Field of Research: |
Previous Supervision
| Thesis Title: | A Study of the Role of an Instructional Leader in a NSW Primary School Measured by Student, Teacher and Community Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Field of Research: | |
| Thesis Title: | How are Ideas and Practices of Creativity in the Australian Curriculum Understood by 'Exemplary' Primary School Teachers in NSW Public Schools? |
| Field of Research: |
Media
| Title: | Helping children to learn maths |
|---|---|
| Description: | Interview broadcast on Channel 7 news/Today Tonight Nationally, February 2015 |
| Title: | Maths Apps |
| Description: | Interview broadcast on Channel 7 news and Today Tonight, July 2014 |