Unit Outline

This unit is the foundation mathematics and numeracy unit for secondary students in the Master of Teaching. It provides an opportunity to reflect upon and to develop understanding of concepts that are central to mathematics curricula; to consider the cross-disciplinary implications and opportunities afforded by these topics; and to develop quantitative literacy understandings that will enable students to be informed professionals. 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 concepts underpinning critical numeracy.
2.	identify and evaluate upon critical numeracy in media reports and in other contexts relevant to different curriculum areas.
3.	complete, analyse and reflect upon an educational numeracy activity.
4.	analyse quantitative knowledge involved in personal and professional decision making.
5.	use literacy skills to present evidence, including relevant literature, to support arguments about issues related to personal and professional numeracy.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Concurrent Pre-requisite	EMT502

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 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Numeracy in the Media	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Numeracy in Another Discipline	Week 10	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Beliefs about Mathematics

Task Description:

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. Answer this question even if you have disagreed with the statement you are discussing. If you held this belief to be true, how would it affect your behaviour in the classroom when you attend your professional experience placements?

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

Task Length:

600 words

Due Date:

Week 3 (14/Mar/2024)

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate analytic skills to support arguments about issues relating to professional numeracy	LO3
2	Demonstrate professional communication skills to support arguments about issues relating to professional numeracy	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Numeracy in the Media

Task Description:

Part 1
Use the critical numeracy framework to critique the two media articles that you will find under Content, Resources for Assessment 2.
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’ but stick to what would be considered to be 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 their study all suffered from colds.
• Explain whether or not you think the evidence provided in the article is convincing. Do not go and find the original sources of the articles. 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. [1500 words to here]
Part 2
• Go to the Australian Curriculum V.9 for your specialisation. Go to General Capabilities and then Numeracy and read what this document says about the numeracy requirements in your specialisation. How prepared do you feel to teach the numeracy demands for your specialisation? Which areas do you need to work on so that you can improve learning opportunities for your students? [500 words]

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

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 6 (11/Apr/2024)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of the mathematics used in the selected media articles	LO1, LO5
2	Critically analyse the argument and evidence used in the selected media articles	LO2
3	Reflect on personal numeracy	LO2
4	Demonstrate professional communication skills including the correct use of APA referencing	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Numeracy in Another Discipline

Task Description:

This assignment is in two parts. This assignment is suitable for your portfolio.
Part 1
Choose an activity from a learning area other than mathematics but incorporates a numeracy principle/concept. If you are in the VET sector you may like to choose something from your area of expertise.
Using Prezi or PowerPoint, prepare a talk that would be suitable for an audience of fellow teachers, describing the activity. Provide the script and slides for your proposed talk (you will not actually give the talk) making sure that you include:
• A description of the activity including the target age group.
• A detailed explanation of the mathematics/numeracy involved.
• A description of the reasons why you believe this activity enhances learning of your chosen topic. [1200 words to here]*
Make sure you include all references presented in APA style.
Part 2
Choose three examples from The Tiger That Isn’t and describe how these examples have affected your knowledge (one paragraph per example). These examples may have introduced new knowledge to you, altered your perceptions or reinforced your already held views. [800 words]
Presentation instructions:
• Prezi users: Submit the script in a Word document with a link to the Prezi slides. Make sure you identify the points in the script where the slides need to change.
NB (1): If you choose English, make sure that you do choose an English activity that requires numeracy, and do not inadvertently choose a mathematics lesson. For example, The Very Hungry Caterpillar teaches counting, and would not be a suitable choice for this assignment.
*NB (2): Only the words in the script are included in the word count, not the words in the slides.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 2.1, 2.5, 3.5

Task Length:

1200 + 800 words

Due Date:

Week 10 (09/May/2024)

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding of the identified mathematical ideas	LO1, LO5
2	Reflect on personal numeracy	LO2
3	Align the teaching and learning activity with stated aims and justify the choice of the teaching and learning activity	LO3
4	Demonstrate professional communication skills illustrated by the use of PowerPoint or Prezi, and academic writing and referencing	LO4

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.