Numeracy: Improving Learning

This subject is not offered in 2015.

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 Overview, Learning Outcomes 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 is concerned with improving the learning outcomes for students in primary and secondary schools in selected hard-to-teach topics that are central to numeracy. It will considerably enhance the numeracy-specific pedagogical content knowledge of the participants. A detailed study of the conceptual growth along a developmental continuum that is required for making progress in key areas of mathematics will be undertaken. Participants will learn to conduct ‘assessment for learning’ in a way that is instructionally highly effective. Diagnostic assessments will be reviewed, critiqued and created, and used with sample students. Teaching methods that promote conceptual growth will be reviewed, with relevant research. All topics will be examined through the lens of current Australian and international educational policies.

On completion of the subject students will be able to

• demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge of the developmental continuum for learning some central topics of mathematics
• analyse curriculum sequences and lessons to assess their potential for promoting conceptual growth and other key mathematical competencies
• describe and analyse the policies and findings of major contemporary mathematics curriculum initiatives related to improving learning
• provide leadership in an educational setting in improving the learning of mathematics and numeracy.

There are three pieces of assessment:

• Oral presentation (15 minutes) on the mathematical understandings of a small number of students in a defined area of mathematics/numeracy, with supporting documentation. 1000 words. Mid-semester (10%)
• Design and analysis of a lesson sequence that will improve school outcomes in a defined area of numeracy, with reference to research findings. 2000 words. End of semester. (45%)
• Literature review on students’ conceptual growth of one mathematical topic. 2000 words. End of semester (45%)

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.

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

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students completing this subject should be able to:

• demonstrate a superior knowledge and understanding of theory and practice relating to numeracy and mathematics learning;
• have an understanding of the theory and practice of educational research needed to evaluate research literature and carry out appropriate research activity;
• make effective use of the findings of educational writings and research in improving student mathematics and numeracy learning;
• have the depth of knowledge and understanding of student learning trajectories, appropriate teaching methodologies and professional development techniques that will enable them to be a resource for colleagues.