The big mission behind Mathomat
The Problem, our solution
The problem. Education research has consistently shown that students often do not understand the tools that they use in geometry class, such as rulers and protractors.
An underlying cause for this problem is that students often have only a limited and fragmented understanding of what it is that they are trying to measure or draw. This includes concepts such as angle, length, area and volume.
The solution. Education research also shows that asking students to construct their own mathematical knowledge in class leads to deep understanding. Of course, this type of learning needs to be teacher guided.
Our mission. As publishers of the Mathomat geometry template, and related publications, we see our role as providing tools and learning materials that make student construction of deep and flexible mathematical knowledge a practical reality for teachers to implement.
Our authors and presenters
We have been privileged to work with a number of leading mathematics educators over the years. They are an eclectic group, but they all have two things in common. They are all well regarded professionals, and they all think that Mathomat is a powerful learning tool. Their work is showcased below
Our product design philosophy
Tools that deepen student engagement
As tool designers we aim to support mathematics teachers by developing geometry learning aids that can engage middle school students more deeply. Construction of mathematical knowledge is encouraged If students can remain connected with the concrete geometric experiences of their primary school years while engaging with the more abstract concepts required in secondary school. This facilitates a deeper understanding of the geometric relationships students are being challenged to understand. A tool such as the Mathomat geometry template can do this by presenting students with basic geometric shapes, such as circles, ellipses, quadrilaterals and other polygons in physical form. Students are able to retain a physical connection to these shapes while being challenged to understand the abstract relationships that define them mathematically.
01
Professor Chris Tisdell
Chris is an academic advisor to the Mathomat company. He is a mathematician and academic. Chris worked with John Lawton from Mathomat to develop the patented tool we call Tisdell's Geometry Tool (TGT) that is now available exclusively in Mathomat geometry templates. Chris also inspired the development of the new Constructor series geometry templates. Chris demonstrates the classroom potential of these new tools in a series of video demonstrations in the Mathomat Activity Centre in this site.
02
Michelle Du Toit
Michelle is a mathematics teacher based in Bloemfontein South Africa. Michelle uses Mathomat extensively in her teaching, and she provides professional development inservice support in schools for Mathomat for our South African distributors, Education Resources Africa . Michelle is also developing a series of investigations and video demonstrations for Mathomat in Australia. These will appear in the Mathomat Activity Centre as they become available.
03
Richard Korbosky
Richard is a mathematics teacher. He is a former university lecturer and past president of the Mathematics Association of Western Australia. Richard designed the Mathomat Primary template, and wrote the student manual for it. He provides professional development workshops on Mathomat for teachers.
Our Author Team
Our presenters
Professor Chris Tisdell
Chris, a mathematician and academic, is academic advisor to Mathomat. Chris approached us in 2021 with an interest in the circle templates in Mathomat as a more practical alternative to compass and straight-edge construction. This led to him reconceiving the basic design of the circle template. The tool that resulted has been named Tisdell's Geometry Tool (TGT) in recognition of this contribution. A patent for the TGT has been applied for, with Chris and John Lawton from OLM as authors. The TGT is now exclusively available in Mathomat geometry templates. Chris has also inspired the development of the Constructor series geometry templates. Chris showcases the potential of these tools in a series of video demonstrations in the Mathomat Activity Centre.
Michelle Du Toit
Michelle, a mathematics teacher from Bloemfontein, South Africa, utilises Mathomat extensively in her teaching. Michelle provides professional development inservice support for Mathomat in schools through Education Resources Africa, who are the African distributors for Mathomat. Additionally, Michelle is creating a series of investigations and video demonstrations for Mathomat in Australia. These will be available in the Mathomat Activity Centre.
Richard Korbosky
Richard is a mathematics teacher and author. He previously worked as a university lecturer and has served as president of the Mathematics Association of Western Australia. Richard's contributions to mathematics education include designing the Mathomat Primary template, authoring its accompanying student manual, and offering professional development workshops for teachers on how to effectively use Mathomat in the classroom.
$24.95
Maths with Mathomat
A series of 11 comprehensive lesson plans giving an insight into the enormous classroom potential of Mathomat. By Susie Groves and Peter Grover. $24.95 as a hard copy book in the Mathomat shop, these lessons can also be downloaded at no charge from the Mathomat Activity Centre.
$24.95
Geometry and Beyond with Mathomat, The Geometer's Sketchpad and concrete materials.
In this 178 page resource book, author Michael O'Connor explores the potential of Mathomat as a secondary school level classroom teaching resource. The activities are designed to guide students through the development of key concepts that lead to the bigger picture. The activities lead students through an exploration of the properties with the intention that students discover many of the underlying concepts for themselves. One emphasis in this book is to develop communal understanding through discussion and negotiation by students of the meaning in the lessons. The lessons are connected to the Australian Curriculum through multiple year levels.
$24.95
Space and Beyond with Mathomat.
More than 100 A4 sized investigations using Mathomat for years 4 to 9 by Steve Lewis and Ted Marks.
$24.95
Instruction text and units of work for Mathomat
This reprint of Craig Young's 1981 publication presents some of the classic activities created by Craig that made Mathomat such a popular teaching resource. These include Craig's original snowflake design
Availability
Mathomat is widely available in Australia through leading book sellers and stationery retailers. Mathomat is also available in South Africa, the UK and USA. Contact us for more information
Head office, Melbourne Australia
info@wguastralia.com.au+61 438199228, +6131290337113 Beatty Street Mont Albert, 3127
