Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit continues the development of your knowledge and understanding of the mathematics curriculum at the secondary level. It extends your understanding of the teaching and learning of key mathematical ideas. It also further develops your planning skills and your knowledge of the use of resources and technology in the teaching of mathematics. The focus is on the middle-years and vocational mathematics subjects in the senior years.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to further develop your understanding of the school mathematics curriculum and to extend your knowledge and understanding of inclusive, learner-focused approaches to mathematics curriculum development.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Design engaging and flexible learning experiences for middle-years and vocational mathematics for individuals and groups (QCT Standard 1)
2. Design learning experiences in middle-years and vocational mathematics that develop language, literacy and numeracy (QCT Standard 2)
3. Design intellectually challenging learning experiences (QCT Standards 3)
4. Design assessment and reporting techniques and strategies applicable to mathematics learning (QCT Standard 5)
5. Commit to reflective practice and research-based practice and demonstrate effective professional communication (QCT Standard 10)

Content

This unit covers the following topics:
- Mathematical inquiry - experiences in mathematical investigations and problem solving and the implications for teaching and learning
- Mathematical applications - experience in data collection and analysis, interpretation of information from a variety of sources, and the use of appropriate mathematical models for life-related and vocational situations. Mathematical topics will be chosen from the strands: Space, Number, Measurement, Chance and data, Algebra. Selections of important concepts from the five strands will be used in investigations of inquiry, applications and instruction.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is delivered through a series of lectures and workshops/tutorials supported by materials on the Blackboard site and in the CMD. Your learning will be enhanced by actively participating in the weekly workshop activities and reflections and by engaging with the readings

Assessment

Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Formative assessment will be provided through feedback in tutorial sessions and through discussions of draft assignment work.
There are two items of summative assessment in the unit: a workshop presentation and a curriculum unit.

Assessment name: Assignment 1
Description: Workshop presentation: Presentation of a mathematics classroom learning activity and a discussion paper explaining and justifying the use of the activity
Length: 1500 words or equivalent
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Assignment 2
Description: Curriculum unit: The writing of plans, learning materials and assessment tasks for a mathematics unit appropriate for a middle-years of vocational class
Length: 2500 words or equivalent
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Text
There is no set textbook for this unit References

Galbraith, P., Blum, W., Booker, G., & Huntley, I. (1998). Mathematical modelling: Teaching and assessment in a technology-rich world. Chichester: Horwood Publishing.
Goos, M., Stillman, G. & Vale, C. (2007). Teaching secondary school mathematics. Melbourne: Allen & Unwin
Krulik, S., & Rudnick, J. A. (2000). Teaching middle school mathematics: Activities, materials and problems. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Posamentier, A. S. & Stepelman, A. S. (2002). Teaching secondary mathematics: Techniques and enrichments 6th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in the use of computers will apply.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 31-Oct-2012