Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module EDUS1611: MATHEMATICS FOR PRIMARY TEACHING 1

Department: Education [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

EDUS1611: MATHEMATICS FOR PRIMARY TEACHING 1

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to X1G5

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop students' understanding of the important ideas which underpin the primary mathematics curriculum, strengthen their knowledge of the connections between mathematical topics, and introduce a range of ways of thinking about and representing key ideas.
  • To consider how children think about mathematics in the primary curriculum, by critical analysis of publications from mathematics education journals.
  • To explore pedagogical issues related to the teaching of mathematics.

Content

  • The content will be closely related to the National Curriculum for Mathematics.
  • It will include children's learning of early number, mental and written calculation methods, and early ideas in algebra.
  • Students will critically examine the role of the three part daily mathematics lesson and aspects of the planning cycle within the National Numeracy Strategy.
  • Students will carry our numeracy work with primary children and anlayse the results in relevant university sessions.
  • They will explore critically the role of different representations in children's understanding of number.
  • The students will learn to evaluate the use of specific resources and will gain experience in developing resources themselves.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • 1. By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key ideas related to numeracy.
  • 2. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of methods and approaches suited to the effective planning and teaching of the primary mathematics curriculum, especially as outlined in the National Numeracy Strategy.
  • 3. To develop student teachers’ subject knowledge and understanding in mathematics.
  • 4. To consider how children think about the mathematics in the primary curriculum, by critical analysis of publications from mathematics education journals.
  • 5. To explore pedagogical issues related to the teaching of mathematics.
  • 6. To verify that students can do all the mathematics set out in the subject knowledge requirements for courses of Initial Teacher Training.
  • 7. Reflect on present learning in order to develop future learning.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • 1. To be able critically to reflect on the numerical aspects of the national curriculum.
  • 2. To know about and to discuss critically aspects of educational theory related to the learning of mathematics.
  • 3. To present arguments based on their understanding of selected articles about mathematics education.
  • 4. To observe, record accurately and relate educational practice to theory in primary schools and classrooms.
Key Skills:
  • Students will have opportunities throughout the course to
  • 1. Use and draw on research literature to highlight important educational issues.
  • 2. Learn to construct coherent, logical written arguments in putting forward a case for how educational practice should be carried out.
  • 3. Become a reflective practitioner through personal reflection on personal experience and practice in schools, and comparing these to research ideas.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The course will be delivered through weekly lectures and tutorials.
  • There will also be seminars where students will present their critical reflections on appropriate journal articles.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 22 Weekly 1 hour 22
Tutorials, seminars, practicals 15 Fortnightly or Weekly 1 hour 15
Fieldwork
Preparation and Reading 163
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 2500 words 100%
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

Tutorial presentations.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University