Personal and Professional Numeracy unit (EDU120)

Cradle Coast, Launceston, Online

Introduction

This unit is the foundation mathematics and numeracy unit for the Bachelor of Education. It provides an opportunity to reflect upon and to develop understanding of concepts that are central to mathematics curricula and to develop quantitative literacy understandings that are essential for all teachers. Foci of the unit include the development of a critical orientation to presentation of numeracy concepts in the media, the identification and critique of misconceptions such as neuromyths in education, and an appreciation of the numeracy as a fundamental component across all curriculum areas  and in the personal and professional lives of all teachers.

Summary

Unit name	Personal and Professional Numeracy
Unit code	EDU120
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Doctor Osman Kasimu
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	21/2/2027	15/3/2027	18/4/2027	12/6/2027

* 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 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge and understanding of mathematical topics relevant to Foundation Year to Year 6 of the Australian Curriculum, Mathematics (v.9) recognising numeracy as a fundamental component across all curriculum areas.
• Identify and evaluate critical numeracy in media reports and other contexts and critique common misconceptions in mathematics education, including neuromyths, and their impact on teaching and learning.
• Use literacy skills to present evidence, including relevant literature, to support arguments about issues related to personal and professional numeracy.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Assessment	Beliefs about Mathematics (10%)|Numeracy in the Media (40%)|Knowledge of Mathematics (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Blastland, M., & Dilnot, A. (2008). The tiger that isn’t: Seeing through a world of numbers. Profile Books. There are e-versions (including Kindle) available. Nielsen, J. A., Zielinski, B. A., Ferguson, M. A., Lainhart, J. E., & Anderson, J. S. (2013). An evaluation of the left-brain vs. right-brain hypothesis with resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e71275. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0071275 Torrijos-Muelas, M., González-Víl­lora, S., & Bodoque-Osma, A. R. (2021). The persistence of neuromyths in the educational settings: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 591923. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.591923

Recommended

If you are not confident in your mathematical competency, one of these options may be useful to you:  Hilton, A., & Hilton, G. (2021). Making sense of number: Improving personal numeracy. Cambridge University Press.  You may also choose to enrol in an online preparation for LANTITE course. For example: Cambridge Lantite Edge https://lantite.edjin.com/    Assistance can also be obtained from the university. Please go to this link: https://www.utas.edu.au/students/learning   University of Tasmania (2015). APA. In Referencing and assignment writing. Retrieved from APA 7th ed. - Referencing and assignment writing - Subject Guides at University of Tasmania (libguides.com)

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.