Numeracy: Differentiating Teaching

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Pre-teaching period:

During the pre-teaching period, students will be required to complete reading that will be provided via LMS.

170 hours

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 website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines effective policy and practices for intervention and for differentiating instruction, so that all students can achieve the level of numeracy required for them to reach their potential. Results from assessment instruments will be analysed in conjunctions with an in-depth study of frameworks for mathematical learning. Student work revealing common misconceptions will be analysed and discussed. Pedagogical content knowledge and instructional strategies required for the most common challenges will be developed, drawing on a range of resources. Research on the nature of effective program organisation of, and effective instruction for students in, intervention programs will be examined. A series of school case studies will be undertaken, showing best practice in schools with input from their leaders. Research into instruction which meets the requirement to challenge and extend all students will be examined, and exemplary programs will be showcased.

On completion of the subject students will be able to:
• Discuss, and give examples of, outstanding programs for intervention
• Discuss, and give examples of exemplary practice in differentiating instruction
• Discuss assessment instruments from theoretical and practical perspectives.

There are two pieces of assessment:

• A literature review on research into programs addressing the numeracy needs of students outside the central range of numeracy achievement. (40%, 2,000 words, mid semester)
• Report on an intervention program, or case study of a child with special needs for numeracy instruction (60%, 3,000 words, end of semester).

Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs/online classes) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Chapman, C & King, Rita (2008). Differentiated Instructional Management: Work Smarter, Not Harder. Thousand Oaks, CA Corwin Press Inc.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject aims to develop skills in
• Critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives;
• Relating academic research to professional practice;
• Articulating knowledge orally and in writing.