MASA 2026 Term 3 Professional Learning – BTC (Building Thinking Classrooms) First Steps Workshop

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW – Join Lorna McClory, the only Building Thinking Classrooms(BTC) team member based in Australia, for a two-day workshop aimed at teachers who are beginning their journey with Building Thinking Classrooms implementation.

This two-day professional learning will pull back the curtain on experiencing a Thinking Classroom from the point of view of a learner by actively utilising the 14 BTC practices, and focusing on the practical considerations of how to make BTC work in day-to-day teaching.  

• Day 1 – R to Y12 educators spend the morning experiencing a Thinking Classroom from the point of view of a learner, working in visibly random groups (VRGs) of three on vertically non-permanent surfaces (VNPS) on non-curricular tasks, followed by collaborative reflection on the BTC practices they experienced. In this format, educators experience and learn about at least nine of the fourteen practices in a short time span. They then spend the afternoon comparing and contrasting experiences and witnessing a full lesson using a curricular task from start to finish including launch, activity, consolidation, initial exposure to meaningful notes, and Check-Your-Understanding questions (CYUs). In this format, educators experience and learn about eleven of the fourteen practices.  
• Day 2 – Educators enjoy further experience in and exposure to curricular tasks and more deeply learn the nuances of the 14 Practices, with emphasis, practice, and reflection on the launch, facilitation, and consolidation of non-curricular and curricular tasks and a deep dive into meaningful notes and CYUs. 

NOTE – This is a two-day workshop program.  Participants are required to attend both days. 

PRESENTER BIO:  Lorna McClory is a Mathematics Learning Specialist with almost 20 years of experience, having taught students across Years 7 to 12. She has taught in both Scotland and Victoria, and her primary role involves developing mathematical thinkers in both students and teachers. Lorna is committed to supporting teachers in enhancing their teaching methodologies to cater to all learners and move beyond mere algorithms. She is a firm believer in engaging lessons that foster curiosity in learners and encourage collaboration and problem-solving.  Her teaching approach emphasises reasoning, which she believes is a crucial component in developing mathematical thinkers. Lorna is the only Building Thinking Classrooms Australian team member, providing professional development and support to teachers implementing the 14 practices.  Learn more about Lorna’s experience as a Building Thinking Classrooms Team Member HERE

REGISTRATION LOGISTICS:

For school processed bookings details of participants will be collected at the time of order.  Invoicing will be sent to the person placing the order.  Once orders have been processed registered attendees will receive event advice.

Please note a single ticket order is required for each registered attendee. (You will need to provide full name and email details for each registered attendee at the time of ordering.)

If you are placing a multi-registration order please follow these steps

• for orders for 2  registrations please order a single ticket for each attendee (HERE)
• for orders for 3 registrations please order a multi-ticket bundle ticket (HERE)
• for orders for more than 3 registrations please email admin@masanet.com.au indicating the total number of tickets required.

CANCELLATIONS –  Cancellation fees are linked to the date of the event – cancellations made 14 days prior to the event 50% of the event ticket fee; 14-7 days prior to the event 75% of the event ticket fee; 7 or less days prior to the event 100% of the event ticket fee.   Access the MASA Cancellation & Refund Policy – HERE

RESCHEDULING – Should BTC/MASA need to reschedule or cancel the planned workshop event all registered attendees can elect to receive a full refund or have their registration transferred to the rescheduled event.