MATHS 302 : Perspectives in Mathematics Education

Science

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

For people interested in thinking about the social, cultural, political, economic, historical, technological and theoretical ideas that influence mathematics education, who want to understand the forces that shaped their own mathematics education, or who are interested in teaching. Students will develop their ability to communicate ideas in essay form. Recommended preparation: At least 45 points from courses in Mathematics or Statistics.

Course Overview

In this course, you will:
  • consider the forces that shaped your own mathematics education
  • develop the ability to communicate ideas in writing and oral presentations
  • broaden your understanding of mathematics and mathematics education
  • develop creative ways to communicate mathematics and mathematics education ideas
The assessments in this course require a significant amount of  reading, academic writing and presenting. Students will be supported to develop skills in academic writing, teamwork, peer critiquing and presenting through weekly workshop activities that are held in each lecture. These skills are particularly useful for those wishing to have a career that involves communicating mathematics, such as teaching, research and working in teams in industry.

In the past those taking this course have included:
  • students who want to find out about mathematics teaching in NZ and elsewhere
  • undergraduate students in mathematics and science with an interest in education
  • students who want to improve their written and oral communication skills
  • students preparing to undertake Masters courses in mathematics education
This course can be taken as part of a BSc or BA, and is good preparation for anyone wanting to pursue postgraduate study in Mathematics Education. Recommended preparation: at least 45 points from courses in Mathematics or Statistics.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically reflect on their own experiences of learning mathematics using concepts and theories in mathematics education. (Capability 4)
  2. Evaluate different perspectives in mathematics education for what they offer to teaching and learning mathematics. (Capability 3)
  3. Develop clear, reasoned, logical written arguments based on critical reflection on experience, relevant concepts and theories. (Capability 6)
  4. Design and communicate ideas in mathematics or mathematics education in creative and engaging ways. (Capability 5, 6 and 7)
  5. Work collaboratively and constructively in teams to create team products and offer useful, respectful critiques of each other's work. (Capability 4 and 7)
  6. Create written essays that demonstrate academic integrity (Capability 3, 6 and 8)
  7. Recognise the cultural, historical, social and political influences that shape mathematics teaching, learning and curriculum in Aotearoa and internationally. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Reading Quizzes 20% Individual Coursework
Test 30% Individual Test
Creative Project 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Reading Quizzes
Test
Creative Project

Key Topics

Mathematics in Society
Mathematics Learner Identity
Mathematics and the Curriculum
Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching
Mathematics in Context
Emotions in Mathematics
Mathematical Representations
Mathematics for Social Justice
Movement in Mathematics
Mathematical Talk

Special Requirements

Meaningful in-class participation in team tasks during lectures is expected.

Tuākana

Whanaungatanga and manaakitanga are fundamental principles of our Tuākana Mathematics programme which provides support for Māori and Pasifika students who are taking mathematics courses. The Tuākana Maths programme consists of workshops and drop-in times, and provides a space where Māori and Pasifika students are able to work alongside our Tuākana tutors and other Māori and Pasifika students who are studying mathematics.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lecture/tutorial, 36 hours of reading and writing about the content and 78 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including weekly lectures, to complete and receive credit for components of the course.
  • Lectures will be available as recordings.
  • The course will not include live online events.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Readings will be made available on Canvas each week.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

This course requires regular lecture participation and keeping up with assignments and readings throughout the course, which was a surprise to some. As there is no final exam, the assessment schedule is more intense during the teaching weeks. In future offerings, students will be reminded of the importance of keeping up with readings and assignments throughout the semester.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 31/10/2024 08:15 a.m.