Department of Education, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

ED50248 Subject didactics: Mathematics (SD2M - MY)

Credits: 12

Level: Masters

Academic Year

Assessment: CW100

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take ED30246 and in taking this unit you cannot take ED30247

Aims: Students will acquire:
* An in-depth understanding of requirements of the various curricula relevant to teaching 7-14 pupils and the various initiatives from government and elsewhere which are intended to improve the teaching and learning of their subject in this age range; this includes an appreciation of the KS1 curriculum for their subject and the implications of transfer between Key Stages and school settings
* A practical and relevant understanding of how pupils learn the subject and how this understanding can improve the quality of teaching
* An in-depth understanding of the role of assessment particularly in improving teaching and in identifying achievement together with an understanding of how it is enacted
* An in-depth understanding of the need to accommodate the learning of all pupils in an inclusive fashion and the implications of that understanding for teaching and learning
* An understanding of the broader role of their subject in relation to cross curricular aspects and wider school themes
* An understanding of the nature of the subjects which make up the KS2 curriculum and what is required to teach them in order to enact effective learning. The skills and knowledge necessary to carry out an enquiry which is both critical and evaluative of their own practice and which contributes to their own knowledge and the wider field of educational knowledge.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
* Demonstrate that they are familiar with relevant syllabuses, curricular and initiatives in the teaching of their subject to 7-14 year old learners
* Show that they are aware of the learning of their subject which takes place in KS1 and the issues for transfer between Key Stages and settings
* demonstrate that they are able to ground their teaching on a clear understanding of current relevant theories of learning
* show that they understand how and why pupils are assessed
* appreciate the need to be sensitive to needs of all learners and be aware of a range of strategies to meet these needs
* be aware of the need to enhance pupils' learning in the core subjects, particularly numeracy and literacy skills, and the implications of these skills for learning across the curriculum
* be able to reflect upon their own learning as they develop as teachers and to be self critical and critical of the ideas and theories of others including the literature
* be aware of the place their subject in the school curriculum and how this is achieved through the work of a range of professionals in the school
* be able to conduct an enquiry which is both valid and reliable and which contributes to both their own professional knowledge and the wider field of educational knowledge and theory.
* Be able to evaluate their own enquiries and reflections in relation to the wider field of educational knowledge and theory.
Skills:
Students will develop their skills in the following areas:
* They will improve their language and communication skills, particularly in relation to communicating their subject to young learners with interest and enthusiasm
* They will develop the necessary number and ICT skills required to teach ICT effectively
* They will develop their personal skills and qualities which enable them to work with others, relate to colleagues and to pupils.
* They will develop their understanding of they themselves learn and improve their own professional practice
* They will develop as autonomous learners, being able to identify and resolve personal and professional challenges themselves and through the support of other professional.
* They will develop the necessary skills to carry out an effective enquiry which will contribute towards their own knowledge and knowledge within the field of enquiry.
All the above skills are facilitated. In addition, ICT Skills sessions are offered to all students, based on an initial audit, and there will be specific seminars on enquiry methods appropriate for level M.
Content:
The unit will draw upon the learning which has taken place in IT H1and will develop the themes identified in it. Students will have the opportunity to:
* Study in depth relevant syllabuses and curricula and also learn about initiatives in the teaching of the their specialist subject at KS3 and the whole curriculum, including OFSTED and research evidence
* visit early years settings for typically three days where they will have the opportunity to observe teaching and learning at Foundation and KS1, observe the styles of teaching and learning adopted in and to reflect upon the issues concerning transfer of pupils from KS1 to KS2
* Consider the role of assessment for improving learning and also as a means of identifying achievement. They will relate assessment theory to current practice in the subject including assessment of practical work
* Evaluate the individual needs of pupils and how these can be met. This will include identification and support for learners with particular language and learning difficulties.
* Consider the teaching of numeracy and literacy and how this has impact upon learning across the curriculum
* Review the ways in which cross curricular themes and wider school concerns have implications for the learning of their subject and also how their subject can make an effective contribution to the learning involved in such themes and concerns
* Reflect upon their own learning as teachers both from a practical and theoretical perspective and understand how these two are important in improving the quality of teaching
* Learn how to carry out enquiries which contribute to their own professional knowledge and also the wider field of educational knowledge and theory
* Be able to evaluate educational knowledge and theory drawn from a variety of sources including literature and their own professional practice and enquiry; as a means of continuous improvement of their professional practice.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07