Sinéad is a lecturer in the School of Mathematical Sciences. Her PhD in asymptotic analysis was undertaken in DCU and she also completed a postgraduate Cert in Education with the Open University on Researching Mathematics Learning. Sinead’s current research interests are in mathematics education, particularly at undergraduate level and at senior cycle of second-level, and she is a member of DCU's CASTeL research centre. Recent projects include the classification of mathematical tasks currently used for mathematics teaching and assessment at second level in Ireland and exploring the means by which (higher order) mathematical thinking skills can be developed, in particular through the careful design and implementation of mathematical tasks. Sinéad has also been involved in projects engaging in inquiry into and reflection on one's own teaching practice as a form of continuous professional development using different methodologies such as Lesson Study and Mason’s Discipline of Noticing.
Peer Reviewed Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | O’Shea, A.; Breen, S. (2021) 'Students’ Views on Transition to University: The Role of Mathematical Tasks'. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2020 | Aysel, T.; O'Shea, A.; Breen, S. (2020) 'Students’ Attitudes to Mathematics Learning and Assessment in Turkey and Ireland / Sayfalar : 26-38PDF'. International Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics, 7 (1):26-38. [Link] | |
| 2019 | Breen, S.; O’Shea, A. (2019) 'Designing Mathematical Thinking Tasks'. PRIMUS, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2018 | O’Shea, A.; Breen, S.; Meehan, M. (2018) 'Decision points in mathematics lectures'. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2017 | Breen, S., Larson, N., O'Shea, A., Pettersson, K. (2017) 'A study of students' concept images of inverse functions'. Nordic Studies in Mathematics Education - Nordisk Matematikkdidaktikk, NOMAD, 22 (4):85-102. | |
| 2016 | Breen, S.; O'Shea, A.; Pfeiffer, K. (2016) 'Students' views of example generation tasks'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2016 | O (2016) 'The Development of a Function Concept Inventory'. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 2 (3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-016-0030-5 | |
| 2014 | Breen, S.; McCluskey, A.; Meehan, M.; O'Donovan, J.; O'Shea, A. (2014) 'A year of engaging with the discipline of noticing: Five mathematics lecturers' reflections'. Teaching in Higher Education, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2023 | O’Sullivan, B.; Breen, S.; O’Shea, A. (2023) 'An analysis of Irish mathematics textbook tasks in the context of curriculum change'. Irish Educational Studies, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2016 | Breen, S.; O’Shea, A. (2016) 'Threshold Concepts and Undergraduate Mathematics Teaching'. PRIMUS, . [Link] [DOI] |