Associate Professor Allan Leslie White

• Biography
• Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
• Qualifications
• Grants / Current Projects
• Awards and Recognition
• Publications
• Contact Details
  

Biography

Dr Allan White is an Associate Professor in Mathematics Education for the School of Education, University of Western Sydney. He has a long history of working throughout Australia and South East Asia in the areas of mathematics education, research, teacher professional development and the use of ICTs.

He currently works with pre-service undergraduate and postgraduate primary and secondary school teachers. Before working in the tertiary sector, he taught for over twenty years in primary and secondary classrooms in three Australian states. At different times he has held the positions of school Principal, Head of Mathematics, Head of Mathematics and Science, Director of Boarding and he has worked in schools for intellectually handicapped and emotionally disturbed students.

His research interests are concentrated into four areas: teacher action theories involving the complex relationships between beliefs, attitudes, intentions, values and behaviour; teacher professional learning and its evaluation, with a focus on Lesson Study; the teaching and learning of school mathematics with a focus on both primary and secondary levels; and the last, involves the integration of ICT into the curriculum with particular focus on graphics calculators.

Dr White’s PhD research explored the influences acting upon teacher behaviour and learning and has the potential to assist classroom teachers articulate their current classroom practices and values. Teacher action theories involve attitudes, beliefs, values, intentions, behaviours and emotions.

In 2002 Dr White evaluated the NSW implementation Lesson Study for the NSW DET. He was the invited keynote speaker for the formation of a Lesson Study group in Malaysia. He is a member of the world Lesson Study group, published both nationally and internationally, and recently co-authored a chapter on teacher education research for MERGA. In 2004 he was the principal researcher for the evaluation of the primary school AMIC program in Brunei. He is the coordinator of the Overseas Professional Experience Program which is another avenue of research.

Dr White’s focus on classroom curriculum arises from teacher professional learning. Allan has conducted a number of research and consultancy projects, such as the Numeracy in Primary Schools Project (NSW DET, NSW CEO, & AIS), the Priority Action Schools Project. Currently he is working for AusAid/ NSW Global Education and has completed an evaluation of the numeracy program Counting On 2007 and Counting On 2008 for NSW DET.

Dr White is also interested in the pedagogical strategies needed to integrate ICT into the classroom with a particular focus on mathematics and the use of spreadsheets and graphics calculators. He presents regularly at Australian teacher conferences delivering a keynote address at the Annual Conference of the Victorian Association of Mathematics.

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

Primary mathematics teaching and learning; secondary mathematics teaching and learning; teacher action theories; integration of ICT into the mathematics curriculum; teacher professional learning; evaluation research;

Qualifications

DipT (Sydney Teachers), BA (Macquarie), MEd (UNSW), GradDipEd (SAColl), PhD (Sydney)

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Grants / Current Projects

• Evaluation of Counting On 2008 Program NSW DET
• Mathematics Teachers Guide to Global Education Site - AusAid
• Evaluation of Counting On 2007 Program NSW DET
• Global Education Project - New South Wales AusAid
• SEAMEO - Australia Project - ICT in Maths and Science UNESCO
• Evaluation of AMIC program - Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam
• SEQ1 Project between Office of Basic Education Commission Thailand and RECSAM Malaysia. UNESCO/SEAMEO
• Priority Action Schools Project NSW DET
• Lesson Study Evaluation - NSW DET
• Primary Numeracy Project - NSW DET, CEO, AIS
  

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Awards and Recognition

2005 Outstanding Professional Service - NSW Professional Teachers Council

2002 M.A.C.E. - Australian College of Education

1997 G.Aust.M.S. - Australian Mathematics Society

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Publications

In the last ten years Alan has produced over 150 research and teaching publications

Research Publications

Refereed Contribution - Chapter of Book - International Publication

White, A. L. (2008). Review of learning of mathematics in the middle years 2004-07. In H. Forgasz, A. Barkatsas, A. Bishop, B. Clarke, S. Keast, W. T. Seah, P. Sullivan, & S. Willis, Research in mathematics education in Australasia 2004 - 2007 (pp. 41-72 ). The Netherlands Sense Publishers. ISBN 978-90-8790-500-2.

White, A. L. (2007). Assessment in school mathematics. In N. Idris (Ed). Classroom assessment in mathematics education (pp. 43-58). ). Shah Alam, Selangor: McGraw-Hill (Malaysia). ISBN 978 983 3850 38 9

White, A. L. (2005). Technology Improving the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics : From Theory and Research to Practice. In P. Singh & C. S. Lim (Eds.) Improving teaching and learning of mathematics: From theory/research to practice (pp. 227 - 252). Shah Alam, Selangor: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). ISBN 967-958-214-0

Southwell, B., White, A. L., & Klein, M. (2004). Learning to teach mathematics. In B. Perry, G. Anthony, & C. Diezmann (Eds.). Research in mathematics education in Australasia 2000 - 2003 (pp. 197-217). Flaxton, QLD: Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. ISBN 1 876682 64 7.

Refereed Contribution - International Journal

White, A. L., & Lim, C. S. (2008 in press). Lesson study in Asia Pacific classrooms: Local responses to a global movement. ZDM The International Journal of Mathematics Education,

White, A. L. (2007). An Australian Mathematics Educator in South East Asia: Globalization has Virtually Changed Everything. Transnational Curriculum Inquiry, 4(1), 42-53. ISSN 1449-8855.

White, A. L. (2007). Two Related Approaches to Teacher Professional Learning in the Asia Pacific Region, Journal of Science and Mathematics in Southeast Asia, 30(1), 67-83. ISSN 0126-7663

White, A. L., Way, J., Perry, B., & Southwell, B. (2006). Mathematical attitudes, beliefs and achievement in pre-service mathematics teacher education. Mathematics Teacher Education & Development, 7, 33-52.

Singh, P., & White, A. L. (2006). Unpacking first year university students' mathematical content knowledge through problem solving. Asian Journal of University Education, 1 (March), 33-56. ISSN 1823-7797

White, A. L. (2006). Graphics calculators and modelling in the secondary mathematics classrooms. In J. Suffolk (Ed.) Science, Mathematics and Technical Educations 19, (pp. 34-41). Brunei: Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

White, A. L. (2005). What do graphics calculators and pedagogical change in the secondary mathematics classroom have in common? International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 1(3), 3-10. ISSN 1833-4105

Over 50 Refereed Conference Proceedings (Full papers) - International

White, A. L. (2008). Counting On 2007: A program for middle years students who have experienced difficulty with mathematics. In M. Goos, R. Brown & K. Makar (Eds.), Navigating Currents and Charting Directions (Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Vol. 2, 573-79). Brisbane: MERGA Inc. ISBN 978-1-920846-17-6

White, A. L. (2007). Mathematical modelling and technology: Tools for creating a quality mathematics education culture. In C. S. Lim, S. Fatimah, G. Munirah, M. Y. Hashimah, W. L. Gan & T. Y. Hwa (Eds.). Meeting the challenges of developing quality mathematics Education (pp. 236-242) (Proceedings of the Fourth East Asia Regional Conference on Mathematics Education: EARCOME 4). Penang, Malaysia: Universiti Sains Malaysia

White, A. L., & Lim, C. S. (2007). Lesson Study: Local, global or a glocal strategy for teacher professional learning? In U. H. Cheah, Y. Wahyudi, R. P. Devadason, K. T. Ng, J. A. Chavez, & D. D. Mangao (Eds.) Redefing Learning Culture for Sustainability (pp. 239-245) (Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education: CoSMEd 2007). Penang Malaysia: RECSAM.

Southwell, B., White, A. L., Way, J., & Perry, B. (2006) Attitudes versus achievement in pre-service mathematics teacher education In Refereed Proceedings, Annual conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education. Sydney: AARE.

White, A. L., & M. A. Clements (2005). Energising upper-primary mathematics classrooms in Brunei Darussalam: The Active Mathematics In Classrooms (AMIC) Project. In H. S. Dhindsa, I. J. Kyeleve, O. Chukwu, & J.S.H.Q. Perera (Eds.). Future directions in science, mathematics and technical education (pp. 151-160 ) (Proceedings of the Tenth.

Publications in Teaching and Learning

Ly, S. B., & White, A. L. (2008). Interactive, self-paced, self-correcting mathematics spreadsheets: Boost students' mathematics learning. Reflections 33 (1), 18-22.

White, A. L. (2008). NSW global education and the middle school classroom. Reflections, 33 (1), 9-12. ISSN 0156-7799

White, A. L., & Singh, P. (2007). Linking thinking: Mathematical modelling an ideal tool. Reflections 32 (1), 69-73. ISSN 0156-7799.

White, A. L. (2007). Student spreadsheets in the middle-school mathematics classroom: Why should the teacher have all the fun? Reflections, 32 (1), 60-3.

White, A. L. (2006). Graphics calculators and modelling in the secondary mathematics classrooms. Science, Mathematics and Technical Educations 19, 34-41

White, A. L. (2006). Mathematical modelling and the graphics calculator: ideal tools for linking thinking. In J. Ocean, D. Siemon, J. Virgona, M. Breed, C. Walta (eds.) Mathematics - The way forward, (pp.350-361 ) (Proceedings of 43rd Annual Conference of the Mathematics Association of Victoria). Brunswick Melbourne: M.A.V. ISBN 0-646-46989-4

White, A. L. (2006). Tessellations to the Max. PAMphlet, 68, 1-6.

White, A. L. (2008). Essential mathematics research, essential mathematics practice. Square One, 18 (2), 10-13 . ISSN 0725-1092

White, A. L. (2007). Making research accessible: Essential mathematics research, essential mathematics practice. Square One, 17 (4), 9-14. ISSN 0725-1092

White, A. L. (2005). Enriching secondary school mathematics through modelling with graphics calculators. In M. Coupland, J. Anderson, & T. Spencer (Eds.), Making mathematics vital: Proceedings of the 20th biennial conference of the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers . (pp. 402-8 ). Adelaide: Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers. ISBN 1-875900-58-6

Evaluation reports - Government Ministry or Department

White, A. L. (2008).Counting On 2007: Evaluation of the impact of Counting On 2007. Sydney: Department of Education and Training.

White, A. L. (2004). Evaluation Report Active Mathematics In Classrooms: A professional development programme for primary school teachers in Brunei Darussalam. A joint initiative between Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the Ministry of Education. Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei: Department of Planning, Development and Research, Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam.

White, A. L., & Southwell, B. (2003). Lesson study project: Evaluation report. Sydney: Department of Education and Training. ISBN 0 7313 8253 6.

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Membership of External Committees/Boards/ Editorial Boards/ Major Conferences etc: Position/Duration Task Title

• Member 2006-2007 International Advisory Committee International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) 2007

• Co-ordinator 2006-2007 Peer review co-ordinator of sub-theme, Redefining Teacher Education. (CoSMEd) 2007

• Member2005 - Ongoing Editorial Board of Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in SouthEast Asia

• Convenor and co-ordinator 2004 - 2005 International Reviewer panel for the bi-annual CosMed 2005

• Chair of review of sub-theme 2006-2007 EARCOM4 – 4th East Asia Regional Conference On Mathematics Education.Conference

• Treasurer 2001 Organizing committee for Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) Annual conference

• Member 2005 Organising committee for AARE annual conference

• Member 1990- ongoing Editorial Committee of Annual conference of Mathematical Association of New South Wales

• Judge 2000- ongoing Investigating Mathematics Projects for Mathematical Association of New South Wales (MANSW)

• Occasional Editor 1990 - ongoing Reflections. Secondary journal for MANSW

• Manager 2002-2004, 2006-Ongoing Primary Publications for MANSW

• Member 1999-2004, 2006-Ongoing Executive Committee for MANSW

• Keynote Speaker 2005 Annual Conference of the Mathematics Association of Victoria

• Member 1999- ongoing. Executive Committee for the Primary Association for Mathematics (PAM)

• Editor 1999- ongoing Square One (4 per year) journal for PAM

• Member 2000-2002 Member of editorial panel of PamPhlet (4 per year)

• Member 1999- ongoing Review committee for Square One

Involvement On Journal Editorial Boards (Including Conference Proceedings) And/Or Invited Referee/Reviewer etc

• International Paper Review Panel for CosMed 2007

• Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in SouthEast Asia

• International Paper Review Panel for CosMed 2005 • EARCOM4 – 4th East Asia Regional Conference On Mathematics Education.

• Asian Journal of University Education.

• Malaysian Journal of University Education

• Mathematics Education Research Journal (MERJ)

• Mathematics Teacher Education & Development (MTED)

• Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) Annual conference

• International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education

• Transnational Curriculum Inquiry.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education.

• Bi-annual conference of Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers

• Annual conference of Australian Association of Research for Education

• National (Malaysian) Conference on Graphing Calculators

• Annual conference of Mathematical Association of New South Wales

• Square One (4 per year)

• journal for PAM

• UWS College of Arts Research Conference Overseas Professional Experience Program: Coordinator of program that currently runs two overseas tours to the Cook Islands and Malaysia. The tours meet three main needs: the professional learning of UWS staff; the professional learning of UWS students; and, the local needs of the communities 

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