Numeracy: Issues in Mathematics and Science Education

Course aim

To introduce students to a variety of perspectives of numeracy in the primary and middle years, the key elements of each perspective, whose interests are being served by each of these perspectives and the debates around these perspectives. To explore the impact on and opportunities offered by each perspective of numeracy with respect to approaches that engage primary and middle years students to work quantitatively.

Course content

This course engages students with a variety of perspectives of numeracy drawn from the functional, socio-historical, technological and critical dimensions. Students explore the relationships between numeracy and mathematics and between numeracy and thinking and working mathematically. They explore and analyse their own use of mathematics and how this empowers and/or disempowers them to participate in aspects of their personal, vocational and civic activities. Students explore how numeracy can be successfully incorporated into primary and middle years classroom programs through cross curricula, integrated and interdisciplinary approaches through topics / issues drawn from sustainability, equity and ethical action.

Textbook(s)

Van de Walle, J, Karp, S & Bay-Williams, J 2010, Elementary and middle school mathematics: teaching developmentally, 7th, Pearson Education, New York

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Assignment 1: Essay, Assignment 2: Small group seminar presentation, Assignment 3: Paired round table presentation

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 1)
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
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* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.