Rate My Professor Derek Smith

Derek Smith serves as a Facilitator in the Education Support Services (ESS) at the College of Education, University of Otago, Dunedin Campus. Listed in the university staff directory as Facilitator - Humanities, he supports professional learning and development initiatives. With contact details including mobile +64 21 913 150, Smith is actively engaged in enhancing mathematics and statistics education for secondary teachers nationwide. As the Mathematics National Co-ordinator and Central South Facilitator (Secondary) for the Te Tapuae o Rehua Consortium, based at the University of Otago College of Education, he coordinates efforts through the CensusAtSchool project. His contributions include producing termly Secondary Mathematics and Statistics Newsletters, advertising upcoming workshops for current professional learning and development (PLD), sharing useful links, practical tips, and resources for teachers. For instance, in the Term 1 2016 newsletter, he and the national facilitation team provided additional interesting links beyond the main content. Smith has facilitated sessions on online NCEA external assessment trials and introduced educational activities such as those using ClassPad 300 for exploring probability trees and two-way tables.

Derek Smith presented on 'Probability trees and two way tables' at the New Zealand Statistical Association Conference in 2009. His academic profile on ResearchGate, affiliated with the University of Otago College of Education, lists 7 publications cited by 94. One notable work is 'Use of a Cultural Metaphor in Pre-service Mathematics Teacher Education'. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Smith received the Medical Education Unit Award for Innovation in Teaching at the University of Otago on 14 August 2024, as part of celebrations for top-performing staff. Through these roles and achievements, Derek Smith significantly impacts teacher professional development and mathematics education in New Zealand.