Reference books can be an excellent starting point for locating quick, background information and developing an understanding of a topic.
The majority of our reference sources are available online via the library catalogue and Discovery.The print reference collection is housed in the compactus on the ground floor of the Giblin Eunson Library. Here are some suggestions that may help you get started.
Third International Handbook of Mathematics Education by 
CRC Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics, Second Edition by 
The concise Oxford dictionary of mathematics (5th ed.)
Encyclopedia of education
What teachers need to know about numeracy
MathsWorld Year 9 by 
Assessing scientific, reading and mathematical literacy : a framework for PISA 2006.
Using analytical frameworks for classroom research
Mathematical literacy : developing identities of inclusion
Challenging mathematics in and beyond the classroom : the 16th ICMI study.
Teaching secondary school mathematics : research and practice for the 21st century
TIMSS 07 : taking a closer look at mathematics and science in Australia
Math memories you can count on : a literature-based approach to teaching mathematics in the primary classrooms