Not offered in 1999
Professor A J Bishop and Dr B A Clarke
12 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed an awareness of the wide range of individual differences among pupils in mathematics classrooms; an understanding of approaches to special needs in mathematics; skills and strategies for improving the mathematical learning of children at all levels.
Synopsis This subject examines ways of identifying and catering for individual differences in the mathematics classroom. The construct of 'individual differences' will be broad and will include learning styles, physically handicapped students, English-as-a-second-language learners, and gifted students. Factors that influence the learning of mathematics, instructional strategies, and intervention procedures will also be discussed.
Assessment Two essay assignments (2000 words each): 50% - Seminar presentations and practical project assignment (4000 words): 50%
Recommended texts
Dickson L, Brown M and Gibson O Children learning
mathematics Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1984
Hughes M Children and number: Difficulties in learning mathematics
Blackwell, 1986
Leder G Assessment and learning of mathematics ACER Melbourne, 1992
McLeod D B and Adams V M Affect and mathematical problem solving
Springer, 1989