| Unit name | Mathematics in Schools |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATH35900 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Snaith |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
80 level 2 credit points plus interview and selection process. |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Unit areas will include: classroom observation and assistance; teaching assistance; extra-curricula activities; special project; log book; final report; presentation.
Aims
Places on this unit are restricted and students should complete an application form (due in on the last day of the previous summer term) and participate in an interview. The last date for handing in application forms for next year (2012-2013) will be Friday 22th June 2012.
Students will be informed of whether they have been selected to take the unit shortly after the interviews in October.
Application forms can be found at the following website:
http://www.maths.bris.ac.uk/~mancs/mathsinschools.html
The aims are to enhance students' management and communication skills and their ability to analyse and learn from situations in which they are providers rather than receivers of expertise and in which they have to exercise some degree of responsibility.
On completion of the unit, the students will have gained a broad understanding of many of the key practical aspects of teaching mathematics in schools. The specific objectives are:
They will have gained experience of answering questions about their subject and will be able to assess and devise appropriate ways to communicate a difficult principle or concept. The student will develop their communication skills, both in a one to one situation and when speaking to an audience. The student will be able to use these skills to address some of the problems specific to mathematics education such as the need to breakdown stereotypes of maths and mathematicians that pupils may have.
Transferable Skills:
Time management, interpersonal and communication skills, report writing, oral presentation.
There are no formal lectures associated with this course but a mandatory 50 minute weekly meeting will take place in the second, and possibly third, term with the course organizer and other students on the course. During this period the undergraduates will be spending time in schools and the purpose of this meeting will be to compare experiences and discuss any problems that might arise. Four or five tutorials in the first term will provide the students with an introduction to relevant elements of the National Science Curriculum and its associated terminology, (eg 'Key Stage 2' etc.). They will receive basic training in working with children and conduct in the school environment, and during the first term will be given a chance to visit the school in which they will be working. Typically, students will spend one afternoon a week in the school for 10 weeks of the second and third terms.
The student will be assessed on their effort and improvement in the following areas:
The final assessment mark for the unit is calculated from the components as follows:
