Learning Area Mathematics (Additional) 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the HDisability Liaison Unit websiteH: Hhttp://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/H

This subject will focus on teaching and learning issues associated with developing school students’ skills, strategies and dispositions for working mathematically. Themes to be considered include problem solving (including strategies and heuristics), mathematical modelling, extended investigations, real-world applications, integrating mathematics into other curriculum areas, project work, argumentation and conjecturing informal and formal proof, and the choice and use of technology to support mathematical work.

Teacher candidates will examine a number of theories and theoretical perspectives on mathematical learning and how they inform teaching towards working mathematically.

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

• Demonstrate an understanding of problem solving strategies and how to help school students to develop problem solving ability;
• Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical modelling and applications and their importance in school students’ mathematical learning;
• Demonstrate the ability to foster school students’ skills in mathematical conjecturing and reasoning;
• Demonstrate an understanding of selected learning theories in mathematics education.

There are 3 assessment tasks:

• A report (1500 words) due early semester (37.5%)
• A report (1500 words) due mid semester (37.5%)
• An essay (1000 words) due end of semester (25%)

There is 1 hurdle requirement:

• Completion of weekly tasks.

• CAS calculator
• Goos, M., Stillman, G., Vale, C. (2007) Teaching Secondary Mathematics: Research and Practice for the 21st Century. Crows Nest NSW: Allen & Unwin

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify their practices as knowledgeable agents of changes.
• 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.