EDF5825 · Numeracy and mathematical thinking

Overview

This unit focuses on how young children develop mathematical thinking from birth to five years. In this unit, you will explore how mathematics concepts and numeracy skills develop when young children experience meaningful learning opportunities through play, everyday experiences, interactions with others, inquiry and problem solving. You will explore relevant curriculum frameworks for early childhood mathematics learning and teaching in Australia and engage with current research, policy, and teaching practices to build your understanding of how young children learning mathematics. Mathematics is a cultural practice, and as future educators you need to be aware and responsive to the cultural understanding of children. You will investigate tools, technologies, and processes for monitoring and evaluating children’s thinking and fostering their mathematical progress in inclusive ways. You will critically reflect on your childhood experiences with mathematics to become aware of how your early experiences influence your current mathematical pedagogy.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. demonstrate advanced knowledge of relevant curriculum frameworks and theories about early childhood mathematics and numeracy development
2. articulate the key concepts for young children in each of the mathematics strands and apply these to planning and evaluation
3. identify everyday learning experiences in a range of settings that foster young children’s mathematical thinking
4. demonstrate the capacity to use tools, technologies, and processes for monitoring children’s thinking and fostering their mathematical progress.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 24 hours* of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement. *Subject to variation due to professional experience requirements

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.