“Find without a calculator”

1. “Find without a calculator” The prime factors of 484 and use these to find the square root or 484  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

2. Top four subjects in 2011Student enrolments English: 43 091 Further Mathematics: 30 717 Psychology: 16 512 Mathematical Methods (CAS): 16 004  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

3. Statistics and comments from 2011 Examination 1 More than 600 of enrolled students did not sit the examination. Students should make better use of their 15 minutes of reading time. Time management appeared to be an issue with some students not attempting or rushing to finish the last question. Questions do not have to be answered sequentially. 2011 VCAA Assessors Report  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

4. “Learning takes effort and time” Learn during class. Don’t be a passive learner and just take notes. Pay attention, be proactive, get involved and learn. A straw poll Sensory and Short Term memory Unless we actively take steps to remember, the mind is capable of retaining information for only relatively short periods of time.  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

5. After hearing very important information, the average person is able to recall: The need to practice, enquire and review is imperative to good lerning  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

6. Sensory to Short to Long To listen well requires focus and attention  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

7. Statistics from 2011… Examination 2 Scores ranged from 0 to 160 out of a possible 160. Mean score was 75.9 out of 160. Median grade was a B. 11% of candidates scored ≥ 128 marks. 24% of candidates scored ≥ 107 marks.  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

8. Students must ensure that they: read questions carefully give answers to the required accuracy transcribe the correct equation provide answers to all parts of the question answer the question that is being asked. re-read the question after they think they have completed the question. Provide adequate working for ‘show that’ questions show appropriate working for questions worth more than one mark  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

9. ASSESSMENT • Assessment of levels of achievement School-assessed coursework and two end-of-year examinations will be used to determine your overall level of achievement for Units 3 and 4. • Contribution to final assessment Unit 3 school-assessed coursework: 20 % Unit 4 school-assessed coursework: 14 % Unit 3&4 examination 1 (Short answer questions): 22 % Unit 3&4 examination 2 (Multiple Choice and Analysis Task): 44 %  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

10. “Multi-tasking”is best done when mathematics is not involved. Make the time you spend studying mathematics efficient, constructive and effective. “Concentration” ‘A rule of thumb’ In most good learning environments you are expected to work two hours outside of class for every one class hour.  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

11. School assessed coursework There are five school assessed coursework tasks spread across Unit 3 and Unit 4.

12. A formula sheet is provided in each examination. • A bound reference is allowed into Examination 2. • A CAS calculator is allowed into Examination 2. Note: Past papers are available on the VCAA website. (www.vcaa.vic.edu.au)  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

13. If something does not make sense right away, take the time to think about it. Re-read the question; break it into 2-3 words at a time. Draw a picture to visualise the problem. Use your glossary to find the definition of words. “Think about it!” An Example  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

14. Study scores • You will receive a raw study score out of 50 • Around 8% of students receive a score above 40 • Around 2% of students receive a score above 45  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

15. Scaling VTAC will apply scaling to all subjects to ensure they are of a comparable level. The scaling relevant to Methods for last year was: Omitting Language subjects and after Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods CAS is the highest scaled subject.  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

16. “The 4 Rs” • Review • Repeat • Retain • Recall  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

17. To be successful you need to: • Have very good skills of algebraic manipulation. Many unsuccessful students have trouble transposing an equation to isolate a subject.  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

18. To be successful you need to: • Always set out and show your working in a logical and neat format, consistent with acceptable mathematical practices and never erase anything. Unsuccessful students leave out important steps in working and have poor skills of presentation and setting out. An Example  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

19. To be successful you need to: • Clearly understand when it is good practice to use a CAS calculator and know what it says. An Example  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

20. To be successful you need to: • Have an aptitude to follow basic instructions and to understand the information you read. Unsuccessful students have trouble understanding the following statements: Give the exact solution for … Use your graph to … Find to the nearest day; centimetre; whole number … Give the coordinates of … Find correct to 3 decimal places … Find the exact area … In the form of … Show that …  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

21. To be moderately successful and at the very least you must: • Know the formula sheet and the contents of your summary book. • Recognise expressions, standard forms of graphs and diagrams • Regularly practise techniques, standard methods, routines and notation.  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

22. Resources Textbooks (other than the one you are using) • Jacaranda, Macmillan, Heinemann, Cambridge.. Revision Lectures: • Around September/October Tutors • Experienced teachers • University students  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)

23. If you would like a copy of this presentation please contact Access Education: Website: • www.accesseducation.com.au Email: • vce@accesseducation.com.au  Kevin McMenamin (Access Education)