Mr Tom Roper

Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education - Head of School

Photo of Tom Roper

Tel: +44 (0)113 3434606
Fax: +44 (0)113 3434541

Room: G.15

Email: T.Roper@education.leeds.ac.uk

Mathematical education; teaching and learning of mechanics; mathematics curriculum development; assessment of coursework in mathematics.

Member of CSSME, AEU.

Interests

I am Head of the School of Education and Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education.

Research interests include:

  • The teaching and learning of Newtonian Mechanics: I have written in the area of alternative frameworks, or misconceptions, of students in mechanics and have helped to develop and write teaching materials, for example the Leeds Mechanics Kit, Mechanics in Action Videos and SMP, 16-19, A-level mechanics texts and modules. I have also published a series of articles in the Mathematical Gazette on the application of basic A-level mechanics to a variety of sporting activities. Two of these articles are given regularly as talks at conferences, branches of the Mathematical Association (MA) and Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM), and sixth form mathematics talks. I am currently developing other articles in this area, which is very much a personal mathematical and recreational interest.
  • The development and the philosophy of the mathematics curriculum: The mathematics curriculum has evolved quite radically over the post war years, through the agencies of the ‘modern mathematics’ revolution, the Cockcroft Report and the National Curriculum. Personal interest has focused upon:
    • the demise of geometry as a coherent structure running through the whole of the school mathematics curriculum,
    • the introduction of Using and Applying Mathematics (Ma1), including assessment of Ma1, the use of pattern in problem solving, and the effects of assessment and pattern-based problem solving upon proof in the curriculum,
    • the interface between university and school mathematics, particularly where mathematics is seen as service subject to areas such as engineering.

    Interest in these areas has lead to contributions to the SCAA seminars on A-level mathematics, the Second and Third IMA Conferences on the Mathematical Education of Engineers, seminars at UCLA, contributions to a volume based on research into the many facets of the use of pattern in mathematics published in 1998 by Cassells, and an article in Studies in Science Education (2000) on the relationship between mathematics and science in the school curriculum, also with my colleague Dr. Orton.

    I have also been very much involved in the production of the CD-Rom and DVD Rom, Mathematics for Engineers, M4E, released in 2002 by EBS Trust. This CD or DVD Rom is designed to be used by engineering undergraduates on a self-help basis to assist them in seeing how mathematics is used in solving real problems and to teach them some of the mathematics needed.

    At a tangent to this area, I have completed work with colleagues Dr. J.F. Donnelly and Professor E.W. Jenkins for the Society of Educational Studies on the supply of school mathematics and science teachers.

  • The failing PGCE student: In the area of general education, I have collaborated with my colleagues Dr. G.N. Chambers and Dr. Janet Coles researching why students withdraw from of fail PGCE courses. A national research project for the TTA in this are was completed in 2001.

Selected Publications

PAPERS

Bingolbali, E., Monaghan, J., Roper, T. (2007). "Engineering students' conceptions of the derivative and some implications for their mathematical education". International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 38(6), 763-777.

Roper, T., Threlfall, J., Monaghan, J. (2006). "Functional Mathematics: What is it?". Research in Mathematics Education, Papers of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics, 8, 89-98. Read Abstract.

Delice, A. and Roper, T. (2006). "Implications of a comparative study for mathematics education in the English education system". Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 25(2), 64-72. Read Abstract.

Swanwick, R., Oddy, A., and Roper, T. (2005). "Mathematics and Deaf Children: an exploration of barriers to success". Deafness and Education International, 7(1), 1-21.

Ozmantar, M.F. and Roper, T. (2004). "Mathematical Abstraction through Scaffolding". Proceedings of the 28th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education eds M.J. Hoines and B. Fuglestad, Bergen; Bergen University College, 3, 481-488.

Roper, T (2003). "Who is now, and who might in the future be teaching mathematics in secondary schools". Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 22(4), 183-192.

Chambers, G.N., Coles, J. and Roper, T. (2002). "Seeing it from Both Sides: reasons for withdrawing from one-year secondary Postgraduate Certificate In Education courses". Teacher Development, 6(3), 373-390.

Orton, A. and Roper, T. (2000). "Science and Mathematics: A Relationship in need of Counselling?". Studies in Science Education, 35, 123-154.

Chambers, G.N. and Roper, T. (2000). "Why students withdraw from Initial Teacher Training". Journal of Education for Teaching, 26(1), 25-34.

CHAPTERS

Chambers, G.N. and Roper, T (2002). "Why students withdraw from initial teacher training for secondary schools: the Leeds experience" in: Ian Menter, Merryn Hutchings and Alistair Ross (Ed.) The crisis in teacher supply; research and strategies for retention. London; Trentham Books.

Extended list of publications.

This page last updated by Tom Roper on 22nd September 2008