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Unit outline_

EDUP4082: Primary Mathematics Specialisation B

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study is the second in a pair of units providing BEd(Primary) students with the necessary requirements for a primary specialisation in Mathematics. It is designed to strengthen mathematical discipline knowledge and pedagogy in targeted, difficult-to-learn (and teach) content areas from a K-8 perspective. The unit focuses on the big ideas surrounding mathematical relationships and reasoning in the Measurement and Geometry strand, and contributes to the development of emerging leadership skills. Connections between theory, research and practice will be exemplified through close links with the fourth year professional experience internship.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 4
Prerequisites
? 
144 credit points including EDUP4081 and EDUP4079
Corequisites
? 
EDUP4017
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Janette Bobis, janette.bobis@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jennifer Way, jennifer.way@sydney.edu.au
Janette Bobis, janette.bobis@sydney.edu.au
Heather McMaster, heather.mcmaster@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Report of a misconception & appropriate learning experiences
Written Report
30% Week 04 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Presentation
Presentation of lesson addressing student misconceptions
20% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59
500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Reflective statement
Reflective teaching statement
50% Week 08
Due date: 25 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Report on student misconceptions in measurement: Research-based report on student measurement misconceptions and development of a rich learning experience that will address the misconception
  • Presentation of learning experiences to address your selected misconception/error.
  • Individual Reflective statement: Write a reflective statement on how your identity as a generalist primary teacher with a specialisation in mathematics.
Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Distinction is a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

A credit indicates a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

a pass indicates an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Participation in seminars and lectures by guest Lecturers (e.g. LiME seminars). Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Ongoing Leading a Culture of Excellence (online Professional Development unit via reSolve website) Independent study (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Independent field visits to explore and record STEM in everyday life (e.g. museum, art gallery, national park etc) Independent study (4 hr) LO6
Week 01 Debrief from professional placement & semester 1. Practices to move beyond ‘show and tell’. Misconceptions in Measurement Session 1: A focus on Area and Perimeter Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Misconceptions in measurement session 2: a focus on the attributes of mass, area and volume Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 Differentiating the curriculum: Ability grouping; gifted and talented; pedagogical moves to maximise the potential of learning for all students. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Selecting, auditing and evaluating mathematics resources Seminar (2 hr) LO4
Week 05 Co-teaching group presentation & rehearsal of lessons for Week 6 lessons. Using Variation Theory to develop lesson sequences & to consolidate learning. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 06 Co-teaching lessons in local primary school (enactment of lessons) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Debrief from lessons conducted in Week 6. Curriculum Planning: Integrating Mathematics/Numeracy across the Curriculum. STEM, STEAM Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Assessment and reporting: Understanding assessment data - NAPLAN Using data to: provide feedback to students/parents; plan year/stage and whole-school improvement. Seminar (2 hr) LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 4 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 80-100 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Stein, M., Engle, R., Smith, M., & Hughes, E. (2008). Orchestrating productive mathematical discussions, Mathematical Thinking and Learning 10, 313-340. http://www.math.chalmers.se/Math/Grundutb/GU/L930MA/H13/Mathematical%20Thinking%20and%20Learning.pdf

Campbell, T., Schwarz, C. & Windschitl, M. et al (2016). What we call misconceptions may be necessary stepping-stones toward making sense of the world. The Science Teacher 83(3), 69-74.

Kennedy, T. (2018). Effectiveness of applying conceptual change approaches in challenging mathematics tasks for low-performing students. In J. Hunter, P. Perger & L. Darragh (Eds.) Making Waves, Opening Spaces.  Proceedings of the 41st annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, (pp. 447-454). Auckland: MERGA.

Full reading list and a breakdown for each week is available from the Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate advanced development of specialised mathematical content knowledge for teaching a diverse range of learners
  • LO2. demonstrate advanced development in your identity as a teacher and learner of mathematics
  • LO3. synthesise current research, curriculum and policy documents to inform the on-going improvement of effective practices for teaching mathematics
  • LO4. demonstrate confidence and competency in the implementation of a range of effective teaching approaches including the integration of technology and those that foster student engagement and conceptual understanding of difficult-to-teach mathematics concepts from the measurement and geometry strand
  • LO5. demonstrate advanced development of professional confidence, interpersonal communication and discipline-specific curriculum leadership skills, particularly regarding differentiation and assessment
  • LO6. demonstrate skills in supporting cross-curriculum integration of mathematics and numeracy.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This outline has been adapted to reflect student feedback from 2021.

Access the reSolve website to download and independently work through the professional learning module: Leading a Culture of Excellence.

https://www.resolve.edu.au/our-resources/professional-resources

Note that there are multiple PL modules to download and it will be helpful for your future teaching career to familiarise yourself with other modules.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.