How can teaching aids improve the quality of mathematics education

The interplay among and connections between objects (structured or unstructured), images, language and symbols that lead to mathematical reasoning and the stating of mathematical propositions of very wide generality is well worth closer study. I believe that the subtle distinction between the way mathematical ideas are constructed from objects and the particular characteristics of the objects is often not clear in many teachers' minds. In the plenary, with the help of colleagues, using practical examples and situations, I would like to explore the distinction between the mathematical ideas that are being discussed in classrooms and the objects that are used in helping with abstractions. The use of interactive technology in the creation of mathematical meanings will form an important part of my colleagues' contributions.