Understanding and Teaching Numeracy unit (EAL311)

Online

Introduction

This unit examines the factors that contribute to low numeracy levels and considers strategies suitable for supporting students with under-developed numeracy skills. It examines examples of best practice for integrating numeracy enhancement within vocational courses and analyses how best to instigate and develop such programs. Through this unit, students will develop strategies suitable for their own teaching context and identifying methods to evaluate the effectiveness of such strategies.

Summary

Unit name	Understanding and Teaching Numeracy
Unit code	EAL311
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Doctor Bruce Duncan
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	23/2/2025	24/3/2025	13/4/2025	31/5/2025

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Interpret the description of numeracy used in the Australian Core Skills Framework within a specific learning context.
• Explain the mathematical concepts, procedures and numeracy demands required for effective practice within a particular educational context.
• Design and justify learning sequences to develop the numeracy competencies of learners within a particular educational context.
• Assess and evaluate the aspects of numeracy that pose particular challenges for learners.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
070109	$578.00	$578.00	not applicable	$2,440.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Off Campus:  Weekly online lectures or equivalent (2 hours) and weekly online tutorials or participation in discussion boards (1 hour)   Weekly learning activities are aligned to the development of Intended Learning Outcomes and production of assessment tasks. Come to the discussions, either tutorial or discussion boards, prepared with an understanding of the weekly learning outcomes and questions that will help your tutor support your learning.
Assessment	Numeracy Demands of a Particular Context (20%)|Teach and Assess Numeracy (30%)|Interpret an Assessment of Numeracy and Design an Appropriate Learning Sequence (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Tout, K., & Motteram, G. (2006) Foundational numeracy in context. Australian Council Educational Research (ACER). (available via the library as an ebook) Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.

Recommended

Boaler, J. (2002). Experiencing school mathematics: Traditional and reform approaches to teaching and their impact on student learning outcomes. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Clements, D. H. & Battista, M. T. (1990) Constructivist learning and teaching, Arithmetic Teacher, 38(1), pp. 34-35. Mclean, P., Perkins, K., Tout, D., Brewer, K., & Wyse, L. (2012). Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). Commonwealth of Australia. Muir, T. (2008). Principles of practice and teacher actions: Influences on effective teaching of numeracy. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 20(3), 78-101. Siemon, D., Beswick, K., Brady, K., Clark, J., Faragher, R., & Warren, E. (2015). Teaching mathematics foundations to middle years. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press. Sullivan, P. (2011). Teaching mathematics: Using research informed strategies. Australian Education Review. Melbourne: ACER Press. Van de Walle, J.A. (2006) Elementary and middle school mathematics: Teaching developmentally. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education Inc. University of Tasmania (2024). APA 7th edition. In Referencing guide. Retrieved from http://utas.libguides.com/content.php?pid=27520&sid=199805

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