Ernst, Heather

Position: Course Coordinator, Bachelor of Education Studies 
Study area: Education, Mathematics and Science 
Location: Gippsland Campus, Room 2S107
Phone: 5122 8919
Email: h.ernst@federation.edu.au
ORCID #: 0000-0002-5377-8575 https://orcid.org/

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy – Federation University Australia - 2021
Master of Numeracy - University of Melbourne - 2013
Bachelor of Science Education - University of Melbourne - 1987

Teaching

Course Coordinator of Bachelor of Education Studies (TC5)

Courses

  • Bachelor of Education
  • Bachelor of Education (Primary)
  • Bachelor of Education (Early Years and Primary)
  • Bachelor of Secondary Education

Units

  • Learning and teaching mathematics A and B (EDBED1012 and EDBED3112)
  • Advanced Mathematical Pedagogies (EDBED 4111)
  • Science (EDBED2012)
  • Environmental Sustainability Education (EDBED3118)
  • Various Placement support courses

Biography

Dr Heather Ernst’s recent PhD studies examined the thinking skills developed in secondary mathematics. Using Engeström’s Activity Theory to analyse the relationships between students, teachers, tools, rules, community, and division of labour, she looked at the tensions and possibilities in the use and misuse of the mathematics curriculum.

Before moving to the University sector in 2014, Heather taught in Government schools for 25 years, in a variety of year levels and roles. Heather completed her Masters of Numeracy at Melbourne University in 2013, with an Action research Project on Formative Assessment in Mathematics.

Areas of expertise

  • Mathematics and Numeracy
  • Assessment for learning
  • Thinking skills
  • STEM integrated learning

Research interests

  • Assessment for learning
  • Mathematics and Numeracy
  • Mathematics thinking skills
  • Curriculum alignment
  • STEM integrated learning
  • Regional Education

Pubbications

Refereed journal articles

Ernst, H., & Morton, A,.(2020) Probability across the curriculum Australian Mathematics Education Journal, 2(2), 4-7

Ernst, H. (2014) Formative assessment in senior mathematics. Vinculum 51 (4), 6-7

Refereed conference proceedings

Ernst, H.& Morton, A., (2019). Connecting probability. In Hall, J., & Tan, H. (Eds.). Making + Connections:  Mathematics Numeracy 2019 (Proceedings of the 56th annual conference of the Mathematics Association of Victoria) pp.73-77. Melbourne:  MAV.

Ernst, H. (2018). Senior Secondary Probability Curriculum: What has changed? In Hunter, J., Perger, P., & Darragh, L. (Eds.). Making waves, opening spaces (Proceedings of the 41st annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia) pp.290-297. Auckland: MERGA.

Ernst, H. (2014) Assessment for Learning in secondary mathematics. In J. Vincent, G. FitzSimons, J. Steile (Eds.), Maths Rocks: Refereed papers from the MAV 51st Annual Conference (pp. 47-53). VIC: MAV.

Associations

  • Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA)
  • Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
  • Mathematics Association of Victoria (MAV)