Oliver Thiel

Oliver Thiel is a Professor of Early Childhood Mathematics Education at Queen Maud University College in Trondheim, Norway. With a PhD in Philosophy (Pedagogy) from Humboldt-University of Berlin, he has dedicated over two decades to researching and teaching mathematics education, focusing on preschool and kindergarten contexts.

• Current role since 2024: Professor at Queen Maud University College
• 2011–2024: Associate Professor at same institution
• 2010–2011: Substitute Professor at Schwäbisch Gmünd University College
• 1998–2005: Assistant Professor at Humboldt-University

His research spans teacher beliefs about mathematics, children's mathematical development, and innovative pedagogy through video production and automata construction. He co-developed Norway's first Mathematics Room for experiential learning and co-authored the textbook Matematikkens kjerne, widely used in early childhood teacher training.

Key research areas include:

• Quantitative methods in educational research
• Spatial reasoning in children
• Stochastic concepts in play
• Math anxiety among preservice teachers
• STEM integration through mechanical toys

His recent publications focus on video-based learning, automata for STEM, and affective-motivational teacher training. Notable projects include ViduKids (video production) and AutoSTEM (mechanical learning).

Academic achievements:

• Summa cum Laude doctoral distinction (Humboldt-University, 2005)

He has supervised both bachelor's and master's students, emphasizing the integration of teaching and research through student participation in active projects. The Mathematics Room at Queen Maud University College exemplifies his approach, combining Bishop's six fundamental mathematical activities with Dewey's experiential learning theory in a social constructivist framework.