units

EDF1161

Faculty of Education

18 September 2017 20 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Education
OfferedPeninsula First semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Jill Cheeseman

Synopsis

This unit provides students with the opportunity to experience mathematics as a problem-solving discipline and to explore how mathematical knowledge, both within the discipline itself and within individual learners, develops from activity (mental as well as physical) and reflection upon such activity. Prospective primary school teachers may not have had positive experiences of mathematics themselves and may not be confident of their mathematics. Therefore, the unit challenges students in a supportive environment through 'low threshold' activities designed to promote understanding of mathematical concepts and processes (proficiencies), and at the same time build confidence so that students see themselves as mathematically able learners and teachers. At the same time the chosen activities have 'high ceilings' that allow the more mathematically confident students to stretch their thinking. Mathematics has its own value and beauty and this unit aims to develop in students an appreciation of the elegance and power of mathematical reasoning.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate broad and flexible understanding of the content of numerical aspects of mathematics that underpins the curriculum
  2. display confidence in their capacity to engage in mathematical activity and in their ability to continue to learn mathematical subject knowledge for teaching
  3. effectively communicate mathematics to their peers and lecturer, in a variety of media, including information and communication technologies (ICTs)
  4. articulate how their learning experiences in the unit relate to teaching and learning in primary schools.

Assessment

Diagnostic assessment of mathematical competency (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)
Report on a mathematical inquiry (can include individual and/or group work) (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jill Cheeseman

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

  • 3 hour workshop per week

(b.) Additional requirements:

  • 9 hours of independent study per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Education - Primary