ETM712 - Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics 7-10: Algebraic Thinking and Function

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current.
Year:

2022 unit information

Important Update:

Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates.

Last updated: 4 March 2022

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Cloud (online) with intensive seminars

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Jill Brown
Cohort rule:

Students must be enrolled in course E515, E763, E765

Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with:

ESM724, ESM725

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - cloud:

Time engaging in learning activities is expected to total a combined equivalent of 8-10 hours per week

This includes engagement with materials, responses to tasks, independent study and 5 x 6-hours of intensive seminar across trimester.

Note:

This unit is one of four units intended for out-of-field teachers in mathematics who are teaching in the years 7-10.

Content

This unit comprises one of four units in the Graduate Certificate of Secondary Mathematics. This unit simultaneously focuses on mathematical content for the learning of Algebraic Thinking and Function in years 7-10 and contemporary teaching and learning approaches that increase Year 7-10 students’ opportunities to learn mathematics. It is informed by relevant research findings and guided by the Victorian Curriculum: Mathematics. Teaching in Years 7-10 necessitates a deep conceptual understanding of the mathematics underpinning Year 7-10 mathematics, the Year 7-10 mathematics content itself, and essential and relevant content beyond Year 7-10. Big ideas that will be included in the focus of this unit include: Equivalence, operations and relationships, properties, patterns, variables, relations & functions, equations and inequalities, transformations, change, and rates of change.

This unit reflects current mathematical pedagogies, such as inquiry-based learning, with a particular emphasis on problem solving, mathematical modelling and investigation. Approaches include the effective use of multiple representations, digital technologies (including handheld technologies) and manipulatives. Forms of reasoning and argumentation, including the use of visual representations, in relation to algebraic thinking in Years 7-10, particularly as related to generalisation are highlighted.

Contemporary ways of teaching and learning Algebraic Thinking and Function will be explored in this unit, with opportunities to develop understanding of school mathematical knowledge, potential difficulties, common mis- and partial conceptions of the relevant content, assessment and the provision of learning activities to maximise learning opportunities.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Demonstrate mathematical understanding through solving problems in Algebraic Thinking and Function in multiple ways and using multiple representations and articulate mathematical content knowledge for teaching Algebraic Thinking and Function

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

ULO2

Critically analyse research-based literature to identify important pedagogical aspects approaches with an emphasis on problem solving, mathematical modelling and investigation, useful tasks, difficulties students encounter learning Algebraic Thinking and Function, and communicate your new understandings to others

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

ULO3

Design and plan to implement critical mathematical tasks in ways that elicit student thinking and problem-solving associated with constructing deep conceptual understandings of Algebraic Thinking and Function

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Explain strategies for developing inquiring, collaborative learners who accept mathematical challenge and persevere during problem solving as members of inclusive classrooms

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO5

Use digital technologies, as a learner and teacher, to represent and investigate critical concepts within algebraic thinking and the study of functions

GLO3: Digital literacy

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 – Essay 2500 words 50% Information not yet available
Assessment 2 – Portfolio 2500 words 50% Information not yet available

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

Further resources will be provided via CloudDeakin site during the study period.

Set readings will be available via Cloud Deakin. Strategies for searching for mathematics education research-based literature will be provides enabling students to source extended readings as required for Assessment Tasks.

You are required to access to digital tools - a hand-held device, (i.e., a graphing calculator is preferable) and other software (e.g., spreadsheet) and online tools. You need to become an expert personal user of digital technologies AND begin to learn how to teach for deep understanding using the digital technologies where appropriate.

Unit Fee Information

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