electiveHQ

This module is a core Stage 1 module for anyone wishing to pursue one of the Science and Mathematics Education pathways in DN200 or as an option for those interested in learning more about mathematics education and developing their communication skills. As this is the first “education step” of a five-year programme, in this module we will focus mainly on learning - in particular we will encourage you to examine your own learning of mathematics at primary and post-primary school and your concurrent learning of mathematics at university. We will introduce you to theories and ideas of how people learn and approach learning of mathematics, and then focus on research carried out in mathematics classrooms that illustrate the impact that specific teaching approaches have on learning. Interaction with your peers and engagement are both strongly encouraged in class and throughout the module we will ask you to use the theories and ideas introduced as lens to examine your own mathematics learning. Although you will not be asked to teach students in this module, we do want to gradually introduce you to some of the complexities of teaching mathematics. As part of the module you will participate in an observation placement in a primary school, specifically focusing on the teaching of mathematics and science. This observation placement will form the basis of a report structured around the theories you will be introduced to in class.In addiition we will encourage you to develop your communication and presentation skills. To that end we ask you to engage in a Public Communication of Mathematics Project as part of a team. You will be required to read a research article in mathematics education and to communicate the message to the general public via a suitable means. You will present the outline of your communication strategy to the class.Finally you will be asked to keep a journal and engage in critical reflection - an essential skill of the professional teacher. Even if you do not wish to be a teacher, this module will enable you to reflect on your learning and provide you with an opportunity to improve your communication skills.Although you will not be asked to teach students in this module, we do want to gradually introduce you to some of the complexities of teaching mathematics at post-primary school. To that end we ask you to engage, as part of a team, in a semester long project to design a one-hour, interactive workshop aimed at transition year students, to be delivered during Maths Week. In the design of the workshop we will look for evidence of how you have incorporated the theories and ideas of learning discussed throughout the semester. Throughout the module we will ask you to keep a journal. We will be asking you to engage in critical reflection – which is an essential skill of the professional teacher. Even if you do not wish to be a teacher, this module will enable you to reflect on your learning, and provide you with an opportunity to improve your communication skills.