Professor Jane Watson from the University of Tasmania has been accepted as our Tasmanian ambassador for numeracy this year.
Her work in mathematics education has been recognised through the receipt of a Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to numeracy. The award was presented at a reception at Parliament House, Canberra on August 16th, 2007, as part of celebrations for National Literacy and Numeracy Week.
Professor Watson has worked in mathematics education in Tasmania over a number of decades and has a particular research interest in the chance and data strand of the mathematics-numeracy curriculum. She has conducted research in Tasmanian schools, written numerous papers and books and conducted professional learning for teachers in Tasmania, other states of Australia and overseas. Recently she began a new research project titled Stat Smart in collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Statistics which will help teachers effectively teach statistical skills to young Australians.
Professor Watson has a strong belief that a critical part of the mathematics- numeracy curriculum in today’s world is the development of quantitative literacy skills. She believes that skills such as interpreting graphs, charts and tables and making sense of statistics in the media and in our daily lives are important in helping build an informed community for the 21st century.
