Teaching Functions and Calculus

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours. 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.

Good knowledge of mathematics to Year 11 level, and general knowledge of teaching practices in any subject.

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 Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject explores the content and pedagogical content knowledge needed to teach the functions and calculus strands in senior secondary mathematics. Participants will study research on students’ mathematical thinking and effective teaching methods, analyse major teaching resources including graphics calculators with CAS facility. Research and practice on promoting conceptual change through cognitive conflict and discussion will be reviewed, along with techniques for promoting procedural fluency and for promoting real world applications. Practical teaching tasks will complement theory. Students will be expected to participate in intensive teaching, completion of weekly exercises to satisfactory standard and regularly contribute to the electronic forum.

On completion of this subject, participants will be able to:

• give overview of the content of this strand of mathematics
• demonstrate insight into student thinking
• review the options for teaching of the strand and relevant research
• explain how the goals of working mathematically can be achieved through this strand
• discuss critical pedagogical issues, especially related to developing procedural fluency and promoting conceptual change.

• A unit plan with associated pedagogical analysis (2500) due mid semester (50%)
• A report on student thinking about fundamental concepts with targeted teaching due end of semester. (2500 words, 50%)

Goos, M., Stillman, G., & Vale, C. (2007). Teaching secondary school mathematics: Research and practice for the 21st century. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Further readings will be provided.

Special requirement. Handheld calculator or computer software recommended for use in the VCE subject Mathematical Methods.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify their mathematics teaching practices;
• Understand the significance of developing their mathematics teaching practice on the basis of research evidence;
• Demonstrate mastery of the subject matter for this area of teaching and of general principles of effective teaching and learning in a mathematics context, including with technology