Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should appreciate the contribution made by educational theorists to the teaching of mathematics; have developed a sound approach to the teaching of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division of whole numbers to primary children; understand the intricacies and attributes of our number system; be able to understand the place that measurement has in the mathematics curriculum; have developed basic computing skills in the four operations involving whole numbers.
Synopsis This subject is a participatory one and thus requires regular attendance to enable a thorough understanding of each content area. The tasks of a primary school mathematics teacher are examined with emphasis on the junior primary level. An examination of the contribution educational theorists have made on mathematics teaching form an important basis upon which structured and unstructured aids are considered. The mathematics topics include a study of precounting, sorting and classifying activities suitable for junior primary school pupils and the development and structure of our number system including the number laws and axioms. The subject aims to develop the necessary skills related to the teaching of the processes of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. The measurement topics of time, money, chance and data are used as vehicles to develop teaching strategies for the junior primary school.
Assessment Examination: 80% + Assignment (2000 words): 20%