Mr Tom Cowan
Profiles

Mr Tom Cowan

Lecturer in Education (Mathematics)

Plymouth Institute of Education - School of Society and Culture (Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business)

Biography

Biography

  • Lecturer in Education (Mathematics) (2014-Present)
  • PIOE Timetabling Coordinator (2022- 2023)
  • PIOE EDI lead (2022 - 2023)
  • Deputy Programme Leader UG Primary ITE (2021-2022)
  • Programme Leader UG Primary ITE (2017-21)
  • Programme Leader PG Secondary ITE (2015-2017)

Qualifications

Qualifications

FHEA - Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2015

MA Education, Open University, 2010
PGCE Mathematics: Secondary, MMU, 2004
BSc (Hons) in Finance & Accounting, University of Salford, 2002

Background


Prior to joining the University of Plymouth in 2014, Tom was primarily involved in secondary teaching in mathematics in challenging inner city schools in and around Manchester and Salford.

Tom has a background in Mathematics Education. He is also currently employed by the Open University as an Associate Lecturer on Primary Education and Maths Ed modules

Professional membership

  • Member of BERA
  • Member of ATM (Association of Teachers of Mathematics)
  • Member of NAMA
  • Member of NCETM - ITE Lead for CODE Hub
  • Member of UCU

Roles on external bodies

  • Principal Examiner for Pearson Edexcel (2005 - Present) Mathematics and Statistics
  • Principal External Examiner for University of Gloucestershire PGCE (2016-2020)

Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Education
  • Primary Education
  • Secondary Education

Staff serving as external examiners

External Examiner at the University of Gloucestershire

Research

Research

Research interests

Current interests and areas of potential research


  • Technology in mathematics teaching
  • Diagrams linked to algebraic thinking
  • Mathematics Education - Looking at mathematics pedagogy
  • The use of mathematical manipulatives
  • The role of the Teacher Educator
  • Initial Teacher Education

Publications

Publications

Cowan T.,Hayes G. & Allen B., Starting with Pythagoras’ Theorem. , (MathematicsTeaching 237). Available at:http://www.atm.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/Journals/MT237/Member/ATM-MT237-45-47.pdf