units

EDF3161

Faculty of Education

18 September 2017 24 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 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.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Education
OfferedNot offered in 2015

Synopsis

This unit is framed around the importance of teachers having a rich, connected understanding of fundamental mathematics, particularly as it relates to statistics and probability. The core of the unit involves students working in groups on carefully selected mathematics problems that focus on the relationship between statistics and probability, and their practical relevance. Carefully chosen problems, together with whole-class discussion emerging from students' work on the problems, challenge students to develop a capacity to critically evaluate chance and data concepts, as well as statistical information, and be fluent in certain content and proficiency skills, definitions and vocabulary. Importantly, students are encouraged to view learning as supported by dialogue and to develop their own understandings through working with others' thinking on a topic. Students learn to communicate mathematical ideas effectively, using a range of media including information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Outcomes

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

  1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the mathematical content underpinning statistics and probability in the primary school curriculum
  2. show awareness of how the concepts and structure of primary statistics and probability relate to the mathematics for secondary schooling and beyond
  3. demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the historical, political and cultural nature of statistics and probability, and how this relates to the mathematics education of students from diverse backgrounds, including immigrants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
  4. demonstrate confident understanding of discipline content and competency as a creative mathematics learner who can foster these attributes in their own learners
  5. apply knowledge for teaching statistics and probability to practice.

Assessment

Critical review of different approaches to statistics and probability teaching in the context of numeracy education (can include individual and/or group work) (2000 words or equivalent per student, 50%)
Planning, execution and reflection on a 15-minute primary mathematics lesson segment which has statistics and probability as the teaching focus (2000 words or equivalent, 50%)

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

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

  • 2 contact hours per week

(b.) Additional requirements:

  • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

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

Primary education