As Honorary Fellow John attends seminars and consults with current staff in Mathematics Education.

During 40 years at the Open University supporting the teaching of mathematics he authored a wide range of papers, and dozens of Open University Books and Teaching materials. He co-authored the classic Thinking Mathematically; Mathematics as a Constructive Activity (with his wife Prof. Anne Watson); Questions and Prompts for Mathematical Thinking & Thinkers (with Anne and other colleagues), among many others.

His research methods are phenomenological, based on the Discipline of Noticing. He is interested in the lived experience of learning, doing and teaching mathematics. He focuses on the structure and form of Attention in the teaching of mathematics, as he supports those who wish to foster and sustain mathematical thinking in others.

He is an Honorary Fellow of BSRLM and ATM, a long-standing member of  the MAA and the  MA.H.

 

Publications

  • Mason, J. (2022). Consequences of a Virtual Encounter with George Pólya. Teaching Mathematics and Computer Science.  20 (2) p173-182.
  • Zazkis, R. Kontorovich, I. & Mason, J. (2021). The Learning and Teaching of Number: paths less travelled through well-trodden terrain. London: Routledge
  • Mason, J. (2021). Learning about Noticing, by, and through, Noticing. ZDM – Mathematics Education. 53(1) p231-243. doi: 10.1007/s11858-020-01192-4
  • Mason, J. & Czarnocha,B. (2021). Aha! Moments, Bisociation and Multifocal Attention. In B. Czarnocha & W. Baker. Creativity of an Aha! Moment and Mathematics Education. Leiden: Brill. p345-361.
  • Mason, J. (2018) Making Distinctions: a phenomenological exploration in mathematics education. In P. Ernest (Ed.). The Philosophy of Mathematics Education Today. ICME-13 Monographs. Springer.
  • Mason, J. (2018). Reflecting on values emerging from practice and the value of reflecting on practice. In D. Rowe & A. Watson (Eds.). Faith and Experience in Education: essays from Quaker perspectives. London: Trentham Books. p63-91.
  • Mason, J. & Metz, M. (2017). Digging Beneath Dual Systems Theory and the Bicameral Brain: abductions about the human psyche from experience in mathematical problem solving. In U. Xolocotzin (Ed.). Understanding Emotions in Mathematical Thinking and Learning. p379-407. Cambridge: Elsevier/Academic Press.
  • Mason, J. (2016). Rising Above a Cause-and-Effect Stance in Mathematics Education Research. JMTE 19(4) p297-300. http://rdcu.be/npTf
  • Mason, J. & Davis, B. (2013). The Importance of Teachers’ Mathematical Awareness for In-The-Moment Pedagogy. CJSMTE 13(2) p182-197.
  • Mason, J. (2012). Noticing: roots and branches. In M. Sherin, V. Jacobs, & R. Phillip (Eds.) Mathematics Teacher Noticing:  Seeing Through Teachers’ Eyes. p35-50. Mahwah: Erlbaum.
  • Mason, J. (2008). Being Mathematical With & In Front of Learners: Attention, Awareness, and Attitude as Sources of Differences between Teacher Educators, Teachers & Learners. In T. Wood (Series Ed.) & B. Jaworski (Vol. Ed.), International Handbook of Mathematics Teacher Education: Vol.4. The Mathematics Teacher Educator as a Developing Professional. Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Sense Publishers, p31-56.
  • Mason, J. & Johnston-Wilder, S. (2006 2nd edition). Designing and Using Mathematical Tasks. St. Albans: Tarquin.
  • Watson, A. & Mason, J. (2006). Seeing an Exercise as a Single Mathematical Object: Using Variation to Structure Sense-Making. Mathematical Thinking and Learning. 8(2) p91-111.
  • Watson, A. & Mason, J. (2005). Mathematics as a Constructive Activity: learners generating examples. Mahwah: Erlbaum.
  • Mason, J. & Johnston-Wilder, S. (2004). Fundamental Constructs in Mathematics Education, RoutledgeFalmer, London.
  • Mason, J. 2003, Structure of Attention in the Learning of Mathematics, in J. Novotná (Ed.) Proceedings, International Symposium on Elementary Mathematics Teaching, Charles University, Prague, p9-16.
  • Mason, J. 2002, Mathematics Teaching Practice: a guidebook for university and college lecturers, Horwood Publishing, Chichester.
  • Mason, J. 2002, Researching Your own Practice: The Discipline of Noticing, RoutledgeFalmer, London.
  • Mason, J. 2001, Modelling Modelling: where is the centre of gravity of-for-when modelling?, in J. Matos, W. Blum, S. Houston & S. Carreira (Eds.) Modelling and Mathematics Education: ICTMA 9 applications in science and technology, Horwood Publishing, Chichester, p39-61.
  • Mason, J. Burton L. & Stacey K. (1982). Thinking Mathematically, Addison Wesley, London

Website

www.pmtheta.com