Objectives and competences
The aim of the course is to train students in the application of the basic principles of mathematics didactics, which they need for successful mathematics teaching.
Students:
• demonstrate sovereign and critical attitude towards school mathematics,
• apply logical sequence of problem-solving strategies in classrooms,
• plan and implement teaching of chosen arithmetic concepts,
• use technology in school mathematics,
• evaluate himself as a teacher of mathematics.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Mathematical literacy and mathematics as a science of patterns and order.
• Basic concepts of didactics of mathematics: understanding, types of knowledge, representations.
• Manipulatives, activities, and strategic games.
• Curriculum, textbooks and other resources, lesson plan.
• Technology and teaching/learning mathematics.
• Arithmetic: early number representations; operations - conceptual, place value.
• Problem-based learning, problems and tasks, contextualisation, word problems, sustainability, differentiation.
• Mathematical language (definitions of early concepts).
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures,
• Socratic method,
• experiential learning,
• problem-solving,
• collaborative learning.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• evaluate appropriate activities for the development of mathematical literacy,
• apply the basic concepts in didactics of mathematics in authentic teaching situations,
• explain the structure of the math curriculum,
• critically evaluate learning resources in math,
• identify activities for developing problem-solving knowledge,
• use technology in mathematics education,
• prepare contextualized activities.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Readings
Van de Walle, J. A., Karp, K. S.,Bay-Williams, J. M. (2015). Elementary and middle school mathematics. Teaching Developmentally. Boston [etc.] : Pearson. Poglavja 2-4,7, 8, 10.
Additional information on implementation and assessment • written exam (60%)
• assessed lesson/performance (10%)
• oral presentation (10%)
• coursework (10%)
• portfolio (10%)