Mathematics, Assessment and Learning

Subject EDUC90380 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Parkville, On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment: 125 hours total commitment
Prerequisites: You must have taken the following subjects prior to enrolling in this subject

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites:

You must take the following subject in the same study period

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Coordinator

Mrs Catherine Pearn

Contact

Education Student Centre
Subject Overview:

Teacher candidates will analyse the development of key concepts in primary mathematics and identify critical progression points for children’s learning. They will identify the importance to progress of factors such as computational fluency and number sense, encapsulation of processes as concepts, confidence in learning and metacognitive skills. They will consider typical conceptions and misconceptions held by children, their likely causes, and teaching strategies for changing them.

There will be an in-depth study of Australian early years numeracy programs and the major intervention programs.

Teacher candidates will investigate the design and use of targeted diagnostic tools to evaluate mathematical understanding, and will identify the advantages and limitations of particular assessment items for monitoring children’s procedural and conceptual knowledge. Teacher candidates will examine teaching strategies to address identified learning needs. They will learn to interpret children’s mathematical responses, and devise appropriate teaching.

Teacher candidates will consider assessment schemes for children’s understanding (e.g., early years interview, AIM) and the use of school and state-wide data to improve school students’ learning. They will work together to design and test plans for improvement.

Objectives:

On completion of this subject teacher candidates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of key progression points in the development of mathematical understanding in the primary school
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how children construct mathematical knowledge
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of teaching techniques available to help school students develop mathematical understanding
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of how to assess mathematical understanding and interpret school students’ reasoning
  • Demonstrate understanding of individual differences in school students.
Assessment: There are 2 assessment tasks:
  • A literature review (1500 words) due mid semester (37.5%)
  • A report (2500 words) due end of semester (62.5%)
There is 1 hurdle requirement:
  • Satisfactory completion of weekly tasks.
Prescribed Texts:
  • Zevenbergen, R., Dole, S., & Wright, R. J. (2004). Teaching Mathematics in Primary Schools. Allen & Unwin.
  • Collection of readings.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of this subject, teacher candidates will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to:
  • Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify their practices as knowledgeable agents of change.
  • Be flexible and able to adapt to change through knowing how to learn;
  • Understand the significance of developing their practice on the basis of research evidence;
  • Work in teams with skills in cooperation, communication and negotiation;
  • Be independent of mind, responsible, resilient, self-regulating;
  • Have a conscious personal and social values base.

Related Course(s): Master of Teaching (Primary)

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