Maths anxiety – how to support secondary students with ACER’s Dr Sarah Buckley

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership

This is episode 1 of 3.

Maths anxiety is an emotion experienced by students all over Australia and can significantly impact learning. Hosted by Head of Mathematics at Albert Park College and Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) Alumni Rachael Gore, this episode will discuss a model for understanding Maths anxiety and strategies for addressing causes and symptoms. Featuring the Australian Council for Educational Research's (ACER) Senior Research Fellow Dr

Sarah Buckley, this episode and associated strategies complement techniques that are widely used in classrooms. Resources: go.vic.gov.au/3TlxyKX

Time stamps:

(01:12) – MAES (maths anxiety engagement strategy) definition and history

(02:32) – Key barriers to learning and participation in maths

(03:33) – What is maths anxiety?

(05:35) – Symptoms of maths anxiety: physiological and cognitive.

(08:50) – Causes of maths anxiety.

(13:08) – Strategies to help students with maths anxiety.

(18:12) – Strategies to give students control over the symptoms of anxiety.

(20:57) – What do we mean by mindfulness?

(21:44) – Expressive writing and drawing as a strategy to control symptoms of anxiety.

(23:37) – Positive reframing as a strategy to control symptoms of anxiety.

(25:21) – Addressing the causes of maths anxiety.

(26:23) – Maths metaphors to identify types of thinking.

This podcast series explores, challenges and considers insights into education, school leadership and classroom learning. Views expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not represent the Academy.