AC

Alphacrucis College

Details for Learning Mathematics Part A

Quick Info

  • Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
  • Course code: EDU414
  • Credit points: 9

Prerequisites

EDU401 Foundations in Christian Teaching and Learning, and EDU402 Human Society in the Environment: Platforms and Perspectives for the Christian Educator

The unit Learning Mathematics Part A is part of the subject area Education and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Master of Teaching (Primary) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

The main focus of this unit is on the Pre-service Teacher as a user of mathematics and their own knowledge, skills, confidence, belief systems and values in the area of processing and communicating mathematically. In particular, it builds on the Pre-service Teacher’s own mathematical skills with a view to appreciating mathematics in everyday life and the role and nature of mathematics as a way of interpreting the world. It traces the growth and development of mathematical constructs in children through Primary school and how this aligns to the NSW K-6 Mathematics syllabus. Pre-service Teachers will be exposed to the socio-cultural and multicultural contexts of mathematics, critique a range of teaching methods including direct instruction, deductive, constructivist and socio-constructivist approaches, with a view to developing their own philosophy and teaching approach. They will investigate gender stereotypes in the maths and sciences, controversial belief systems, both historical and present day, which impact on how maths is taught in Australian schools.

Subject Content

General

Mathematical concepts, processes and teaching approaches:

This course may be offered in the following formats

Students will be engaged in analyzing NSW Board of Studies Syllabus documents and related resources, programming and planning exemplars, graphic calculators and technology assisted learning tools. They will develop lesson plans and programs in class and engage in mathematical manipulation, technology experiments and hands on mathematics learning experiences. An emphasis on modeling good practice in teaching of mathematics is integral to these learning experiences. This intensive will be residential and held at Bimbadeen, an Indigenous Conference Centre where members of the Indigenous communities in neighbouring areas will unpack Indigenous culture and mathematical understandings as well as spend informal time over the week.

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Required Equipment


Assessment Methods

Entrance Numeracy Test (5%) Due Week 1

Pre-requisites:- Entrance Numeracy Test for students who have no Tertiary mathematics subject experience.

Students will need to show evidence of Tertiary Mathematics subject experience to be exempted from taking the NSW On-line Mathematics Test in Week 1 of the course.

Self Appraisal (30%) Due Week Week 13

The purpose of this assessment is to encourage you to monitor and develop your own knowledge, skills and values in the area of mathematics as part of your development as a Reflective Practitioner.

Gather data at the outset of the course from a range of sources including commercial instruments (you may require a fellow student or colleague to perform your assessment). Diagnose your strengths and weaknesses in your knowledge, skills and attitudes, in relation to the maths content of the NSW syllabus. Show steps taken to remediate and enhance your personal development; for example, math’s anxiety, or specific concept development. Post test yourself or get another colleague to perform your assessment at the end of the Program (e.g. after EDU424 and EDU400) and analyse for any growth or change.

Include an Appendix showing the Raw Data such as commercial tests and an Appendix of a Glossary of Mathematical terms indicating the suitability for communicating to pupils at each stage (from 1-3).

Conclude with any insights you have gained that will impact on how you will teach. Your discussion should consider not only your own emotional and concept development experiences, but a critique of the testing instruments you used and their validity.

(1,000 words)

(Note students will be asked periodically to share their own data and experiences in class discussion).

Approaches Assignment (65%) Due Week 10

Part A

Critically review three different approaches to teaching mathematical concept development, identifying strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Include key research and writers in the area, past and present. (1,000 words)

Part B (Class Teacher interview)

Interview a class teacher teaching an age group of your choice:

Part C

Compose your own Philosophy Statement of the teaching approach(es) you intend to follow in your own classroom in relation to mathematics and how it reflects/ embraces a Christian Worldview. (300 words)

Prescribed Text

Representative References

Additional References

Journals

Websites