Unit Outline

This unit is the foundation mathematics and numeracy unit for the Bachelor of Education. It provides an opportunity to reflect upon and to develop understanding of concepts that are central to mathematics curricula and to develop quantitative literacy understandings that are essential for all teachers. Foci of the unit include the development of a critical orientation to presentation of numeracy concepts in the media, and an appreciation of the importance of quantitative understandings to the personal and professional lives of all teachers.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Apply knowledge and understanding of mathematical topics relevant to Foundation Year to Year 6 of the Australian Curriculum, Mathematics (v.9).
2.	Identify and evaluate critical numeracy in media reports and in other contexts.
3.	Use literacy skills to present evidence, including relevant literature, to support arguments about issues related to personal and professional numeracy.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Beliefs about Mathematics	Week 3	10 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Knowledge of Mathematics	Week 7	50 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Numeracy in the Media	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Beliefs about Mathematics

Task Description:

Assessment Task 1

In the content of week 1, you were asked to consider some statements about people’s beliefs about mathematics. Choose one of these statements and describe arguments for and against this statement.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 2.1

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate analytic skills to support arguments about issues relating to professional numeracy	LO2
2	Demonstrate professional communication skills to support arguments about issues relating to professional numeracy	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Knowledge of Mathematics

Task Description:

Assessment Task 2

For this assignment you will answer questions relating to your mathematical knowledge for topics that are found in the Australian Curriculum Mathematics, from Foundation Year to Year 6.

For each question posed, you will:
1. Provide the solution, and
2. Provide a clear explanation of the steps you took to provide these solutions.

The questions are provided in a word document in MyLO. You will find this document under Content, Resources for Assessments, Assessment Task 2. The document is entitled: Assignment 2: Knowledge of Mathematics.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 2.1, 2.5

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide clear and accurate solutions for mathematical questions	LO1
2	Demonstrate understanding of key mathematical ideas	LO1
3	Communicate using appropriate writing and mathematical conventions, including punctuation, spelling, sentence structure and APA7 referencing	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Numeracy in the Media

Task Description:

Assessment Task 3

Write a report on these two articles that includes the following: For each of the media articles:
Describe and explain the mathematical terminology in the article that the reader would have to know to understand the article. Describe this terminology within the context of the article with appropriate examples. For example, if the article includes percentages, you will need to describe what a percentage is. Do not include words such as ‘before’ or ‘after’ in your definitions but stick to mathematical terms. If in doubt, place a question on the Assignment 2 discussion board.

Describe the major conclusion(s) of the article including the reasoning given for this/these conclusion(s). For example, the article might suggest that we should all avoid drinking cow’s milk because the people in the study who drank cow’s milk all suffered from colds.

Explain whether you think the evidence provided in the article is convincing. Do not go and find the original articles or their sources. What other information do you think needs to be included before you can be sure that the conclusion(s) is/are valid? Explain your reasoning. For example, you may wish to know how many people were in the study.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 2.5, 6.1

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of the mathematics used in the selected media articles	LO1
2	Critically analyse the given conclusions and the evidence used in the selected media articles	LO2
3	Demonstrate professional communication skills including the correct use of APA 7 referencing	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Blastland, M., & Dilnot, A. (2008). The tiger that isn’t: Seeing through a world of numbers. Profile Books.

There are e-versions (including Kindle) available.