Children as Mathematical Learners

• • How children best learn mathematics through a constructivist teaching approach. The idea of 'sense making' as central to the teaching of mathematics
  • Early number experiences as key underpinning factors for later learning about number. Counting principles
  • Place Value: development of important elements of this key idea. Use of a range of materials to develop place value understanding
  • Base Ten Numeration: the use of materials and patterns to develop an understanding of number beyond the thousands
  • Multiplicative reasoning as the main idea upon which children's future learning is founded. Relative magnitude of numbers
  • Understanding fraction concepts through the use of a variety of models and materials. Emphasis is on the conceptual understanding of fractions
  • Understanding decimals. Linking multiplicative thinking and fraction concepts to extend the Base Ten system to numbers less than one whole
  • Percentage and Proportional Reasoning. Linking fraction, decimal and percentage understanding. Developing the idea of multiplicative partitioning

• Study resources

  • Instructional methods

    • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
    • Online assignment submission
    • Web links
    • Chat Rooms
    • Embedded Multimedia
    • Audio/Video conferencing

  • Online materials

    • Online Assessment
    • Resources and Links

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

CUR-EDC141-The Numerate Educator , or CUR-EDC145-The Numerate Educator

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject explores the Australian Mathematics Curriculum and its relation to curricula from other countries with particular reference to the proficiency strands. The subject focuses on the development of deep understanding of the Number and Algebra strand and emphasises the identification of children’s knowledge using assessment strategies including diagnostic assessment. Topics covered include number sense, early number knowledge, counting to place value, numeration, fractions, decimals and percentages, operations, algebraic thinking, number patterns and relationships, and making decisions about appropriate use of mental/written/electronic calculation strategies.

Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.

Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.

• Report (50%)
• Portfolio and Mathematics Content Knowledge Test (50%)