Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Teaching Lower Secondary Mathematics
  • Unit Code

    MSE4101
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the teaching and learning of lower secondary school mathematics. The fundamentals of learning theory will be practically applied to the specific teaching of mathematics. Activities for promoting classroom participation will be introduced, and students will have opportunity to plan a variety of mathematics lessons, assessments and activities consistent with the scope and sequence of the Australian Curriculum. Pedagogy will encourage the development of an appreciation of mathematics as a useful and creatively interesting area of study by regularly incorporating mathematical investigation into classroom learning, and by focusing on developing mathematical literacy. Useful teaching resources and tools will be demonstrated and their classroom application explored. The mathematical content covered will include the Australian Curriculum strands Number and Algebra, Statistics and Probability, and Measurement and Geometry; and the former WA Curriculum Framework clusters will be used as a resource. Years 7 to 10 will be the focus, but some reference will also be made to important mathematical concepts established in the preceding primary years.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded MSE2101, MSE3101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a beginning understanding the AITSL National Teacher Standards, in particular Standards 1, 2, 3, and 5.
  2. Describe the use and importance of open-ended investigations in promoting significant learning.
  3. Develop and use a range of assessment strategies.
  4. Distinguish between traditional and outcomes-based teaching approaches.
  5. Explain something of the content and intention of the Australian Curriculum for mathematics, and the way it is supported by the detail and elaborations of the WACF.
  6. Explain the relevance of constructivist learning theory to the mathematics classroom.
  7. Plan mathematics lessons which embody the meaningful use of a variety of teaching strategies and learning tools, and which include engaging and relevant lesson introductions and effective conclusions.
  8. Recognise indicators of some specific and common mathematics learning misconceptions, particularly in relation to mathematical language and symbolism.

Unit Content

  1. A guided process of familiarisation for using the Australian Curriculum, with reference also to the WA Curriculum Framework.
  2. How to access available and relevant teaching resources.
  3. How to employ a variety of assessment strategies, both for the purposes of ongoing instruction and the continuous evaluation of student progress.
  4. Lesson planning and its key components.
  5. Practical uses of constructivist theory in the classroom.
  6. Strategies for addressing learning difficulties associated with mathematical language and symbolism, especially concerning beginning algebra.
  7. Teaching and learning using mathematical investigations, and historical features of mathematics.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures (For most lectures, an on-line version will be made available in the case of the residency pathway), Workshops, Collaborative group work and discussion, Professional reading, Independent study, Use of multi-media technology.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationWorking mathematically: group presentation with individual component (on-campus pathway) or individual report (residency pathway)60%
Case StudyIndividual project on student learning of algebra40%

Text References

  • ^ Bana, J., Marshall, L., & Swan, P. (2005). Maths terms and tables. Perth: R.I.C. Publications.
  • ^ Ormond, C. (2014). Map of Australian Curriculum strands and WACF outcomes. Perth: ECU School of Education.
  • ^ Ormond, C. (2014). Workbook: Teaching lower secondary mathematics. (5th ed.). Perth: ECU School of Education.
  • Huetinck, L., & Munshin, S. N. (2004). Teaching mathematics for the 21st century: Methods and activities for grades 6-12. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.
  • Goos, M., Stillman, G., & Vale, C. (2007). Teaching secondary school mathematics: Research and practice for the 21st century New South Wales: Allen and Unwin.
  • Department of Education and Training (2005). The outcomes and standards framework (mathematics). Perth: State Government of Western Australia.
  • The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. The Australian curriculum. Canberra, Australia.

Journal References

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Yearbooks
  • Mathematical Association of Victoria Yearbooks
  • Australian Senior Mathematics Journal
  • The Australian Mathematics Teacher
  • Mathematics Teaching
  • Mathematics in Schools
  • Cross Section

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MSE4101|4|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Teaching Lower Secondary Mathematics
  • Unit Code

    MSE4101
  • Year

    2015
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    10
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit provides an introduction to the teaching and learning of lower secondary school mathematics. The fundamentals of learning theory will be practically applied to the specific teaching of mathematics. Activities for promoting classroom participation will be introduced, and students will have opportunity to plan a variety of mathematics lessons, assessments and activities consistent with the scope and sequence of the Australian Curriculum. Pedagogy will encourage the development of an appreciation of mathematics as a useful and creatively interesting area of study by regularly incorporating mathematical investigation into classroom learning, and by focusing on developing mathematical literacy. Useful teaching resources and tools will be demonstrated and their classroom application explored. The mathematical content covered will include the Australian Curriculum strands Number and Algebra, Statistics and Probability, and Measurement and Geometry; and the former WA Curriculum Framework clusters will be used as a resource. Years 7 to 10 will be the focus, but some reference will also be made to important mathematical concepts established in the preceding primary years.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded MSE2101, MSE3101

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a beginning understanding the AITSL National Teacher Standards, in particular Standards 1, 2, 3, and 5.
  2. Describe the use and importance of open-ended investigations in promoting significant learning.
  3. Develop and use a range of assessment strategies.
  4. Distinguish between traditional and outcomes-based teaching approaches.
  5. Explain something of the content and intention of the Australian Curriculum for mathematics, and the way it is supported by the detail and elaborations of the WACF.
  6. Explain the relevance of constructivist learning theory to the mathematics classroom.
  7. Plan mathematics lessons which embody the meaningful use of a variety of teaching strategies and learning tools, and which include engaging and relevant lesson introductions and effective conclusions.
  8. Recognise indicators of some specific and common mathematics learning misconceptions, particularly in relation to mathematical language and symbolism.

Unit Content

  1. A guided process of familiarisation for using the Australian Curriculum, with reference also to the WA Curriculum Framework.
  2. How to access available and relevant teaching resources.
  3. How to employ a variety of assessment strategies, both for the purposes of ongoing instruction and the continuous evaluation of student progress.
  4. Lesson planning and its key components.
  5. Practical uses of constructivist theory in the classroom.
  6. Strategies for addressing learning difficulties associated with mathematical language and symbolism, especially concerning beginning algebra.
  7. Teaching and learning using mathematical investigations, and historical features of mathematics.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures (For most lectures, an on-line version will be made available in the case of the residency pathway), Workshops, Collaborative group work and discussion, Professional reading, Independent study, Use of multi-media technology.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationWorking mathematically: group presentation with individual component (on-campus pathway) or individual report (residency pathway)60%
Case StudyIndividual project on student learning of algebra40%

Text References

  • ^ Bana, J., Marshall, L., & Swan, P. (2005). Maths terms and tables. Perth: R.I.C. Publications.
  • ^ Ormond, C. (2014). Map of Australian Curriculum strands and WACF outcomes. Perth: ECU School of Education.
  • ^ Ormond, C. (2014). Workbook: Teaching lower secondary mathematics. (5th ed.). Perth: ECU School of Education.
  • Huetinck, L., & Munshin, S. N. (2004). Teaching mathematics for the 21st century: Methods and activities for grades 6-12. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.
  • Goos, M., Stillman, G., & Vale, C. (2007). Teaching secondary school mathematics: Research and practice for the 21st century New South Wales: Allen and Unwin.
  • Department of Education and Training (2005). The outcomes and standards framework (mathematics). Perth: State Government of Western Australia.
  • The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. The Australian curriculum. Canberra, Australia.

Journal References

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Yearbooks
  • Mathematical Association of Victoria Yearbooks
  • Australian Senior Mathematics Journal
  • The Australian Mathematics Teacher
  • Mathematics Teaching
  • Mathematics in Schools
  • Cross Section

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MSE4101|4|2