Staff profile

Dr Peter John Cox

Practicum Coordinator (Secondary Schools), Lecturer in Science Education

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Education - Bendigo

3.15A Education Building, Bendigo

 

Qualifications

B App Sc, G Dip Ed, G Dip Comp, G Dip Outdoor Ed, MEd, PhD

Membership of professional associations

Science Teachers' Association Victoria

Area of study

Secondary teaching

Brief profile

 

 

Peter Cox has worked as a secondary teacher and teacher educator since 1983.  He has  qualifications in Chemistry and Mathematics, Computing, and Education. He currently works part-time (0.7) as a lecturer in Science Education at La Trobe University Bendigo where he  coordinates secondary school practicum and lecturers in pedagogical and discipline subjects in science for primary and secondary pre-service teachers. 

 

He is passionate about the role data (quantitative and qualitative) can play in informing teaching practise, educational policy and as a tool to improve student outcomes.

 

Peter believes strongly in the vital contribution women play in education, and since 1998 has been a part-time home-husband to enable his partner to work in teacher education.

 

 

PhD Research, La Trobe University (2001-2005)

Cox, P. (2005). Participation and Performance in Mathematics and Science: Gender Issues Revisited. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, La Trobe University.

This research examined gender and socio-economic differences in participation, performance and subject selection in Year 12 subjects at a single very large senior secondary college.

This study used a blend of both quantitative and qualitative research methods (a mixed method approach) to address the diverse range of research questions. This research had significant findings regarding gender and socio-economic effects on subject selection and performance in schools.

I am now working on further papers and conference presentations from the PhD.  I have also been disseminating the findings and implications of the research through invitations to present to a broad educational audience.

 

Awards:

  • Stewart Fraser Award for Exemplary Thesis Writing (2006)
  • APA PhD scholarship (2002 – 2005)
  • LaTrobe University, Bendigo Research Award (1996)
  • NEiTA Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching in Victoria (1995)

Teaching units

BEd Course:

Integrated Science Learning (EDU3ISL) - Coordinator

Grad Dip Ed Course:

Coordinator of all Science Teaching Methods (Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Science)

Professional Practice (EDU4PP) - Coordinator

Practicum Coordinator (Secondary Schools)

Recent publications

 

Journal Articles: 

Cox, P., Leder, G. C., & Forgasz, H. (2004). Victorian Certificate of Education: Mathematics, science and gender. Australian Journal of Education, 48(1), 27-46.

Cox, P. (2000). Regional and Gender Differences in Mathematics. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 16(1), 22-29.

 

Cox, P. (1995). Gender differences in VCE mathematics assessment. Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, 9(1), 53-59.

Posters:

The Classroom Mixer-upper-er, GM Learning Skills, 2008.  

The Illustrated Periodic Table of the Elements, GM Learning Skills, 2007.

Presentations: 

Cox, P. & Kurup, P. (2009). MSTIE (Multidisciplinary Science Teaching Integrated Experience) a novel approach linking science units and the practicum. Paper presented at the 40th Australasian Science Education Research Association Conference, Geelong, July 1-4, 2009.

 

Cox, P. & Kurup, P. (2009). Students – Not in lectures, not online! Why is it so?. Paper presented at the 40th Australasian Science Education Research Association Conference, Geelong, July 1-4, 2009.

 

Cox, P. & Kurup, P. (2008, December). Students - not in lectures, not online!  Why is it so? Paper presented at the La Trobe Teaching and Learning Conference, John Scott Meeting House, Bundoora.

Cox, P. (2008, July). Gendered Science Choices at the end of Secondary Schooling – Does differential enrolment lead to differential performance. Paper presented at the 39th Australasian Science Education Research Association Conference, Brisbane, July 2-5, 2008.

Cox, P. (2008, February). Constructing a Periodic Table: A Journey of Discovery. Paper presented  at the 2008 VCE Chemistry Conference, La Trobe University.

Cox, P. (2007). Should Gender be at the Top of our Agenda. In J. Vincent, J. Dowsey & R. Pierce (Eds.),Mathematics - Making Sense of Our World: Proceedings of the 2007 Mathematical Association of Victoria Annual Conference (pp. 66-78). Brunswick: The Mathematical Association of Victoria.

 

 

Cox, P. (2007). Should gender be at the top of our agenda? Paper presented at the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria Annual Conference, Melbourne, November 22-23.

 

Guest Speaker at the Victorian Institute of Teaching 2007 Twilight Seminar Series for the Education Community “Is gender a critical factor in student learning?” (22 February 2007).

 

Cox, P. (2004). A Fair and Equal Education for All? Is egalitarianism alive, and well, in schools? Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Conference, Melbourne.

Cox, P. (2004). A Fair and Equal Education for All. Paper presented at Regional Research Forum, La Trobe University, Bendigo.

Cox, P. (2001). Girls, boys and VCE science subjects. Paper presented at the Science Teachers' Association of Victoria Annual Conference, La Trobe University, Bundoora.

Cox, P. and Carpenter, B. (2001). Dramatising Electricity. Paper presented at the STAV/AIP Physics Teacher's Conference, Monash University, Clayton.