Extending Understanding of Primary Mathematics unit (EPR321)

Online

Introduction

Mathematics is a key learning area for all students and essential to an individual's ability to fully participate in society. The teaching of mathematics at all levels is changing in response to research into its teaching and learning and to ongoing changes in society. Research has shown that significant numbers of students become less positive about mathematics and their own ability to do mathematics during the later years of their primary education and in their early secondary education. Teachers of senior primary school mathematics must be able to teach in ways that facilitate students' learning and also be able to extend these students when needed. This unit will enable students to extend their teaching of mathematics with particular relevance to the later primary years and the early secondary years and to recognise the relevance of numeracy across the curriculum.

Summary

Unit name	Extending Understanding of Primary Mathematics
Unit code	EPR321
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Associate Professor Carol Murphy
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	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* 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 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of mathematical topics relevant to Year 5 to Year 8, including real numbers, indices, proportional reasoning, algebraic thinking, geometry, statistics and measurement
• Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of mathematics content and pedagogy to plan and design coherent teaching sequences which reference Year 5 to Year 8 content
• Make informed decisions in selecting examples, resources, and questions when teaching topics in mathematics
• Communicate in written form in a scholarly manner, with correct usage of English and mathematical conventions

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
070103	$592.00	$592.00	not applicable	$2,562.00

• 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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

EPR220 or ESH220

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Off Campus:  Weekly Zoom tutorial (2 hours); Weekly content, readings, tasks and discussion boards
Assessment	Secret Numbers (15%)|Working with Factors and Prime Numbers (40%)|Cross-curricular numeracy presentation (45%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (2022). Mathematics https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/ van de Walle, J. et al. (2024) Primary and middle years mathematics: Teaching developmentally. Pearson (Second Australian Edition)* Or: van de Walle, J. et al. (2019). Primary and middle years mathematics: Teaching developmentally. Pearson (Australian Edition)* *eBook accessible via Library

Recommended

Ball, D. & Bass, H. (2009) With an eye on the mathematical horizon: Knowing mathematics for teaching to learners' mathematical futures. Keynote address at 43rd Jahrestagung für Didaktik der Mathematik held in Oldenburg, Germany, March 1 – 4, 2009. Brown, P., et al. (2011) The Improving Mathematics Education in Schools TIMES Project: Primes and Prime Factorisation, A guide for teachers Years 7-8. Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute. Goos, M. et al. (2018). Numeracy across the curriculum: Research-based strategies for enhancing teaching and learning. Allen & Unwin. University of Tasmania (2024). APA 7th edition. In Referencing guide. Retrieved from https://utas.libguides.com/referencing/APA7th Watson, J. & Fitzallen, N. (2025). Using interpolation in Grade 5 to solve a mystery. Teaching Statistics, 47, 155-164 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance https://atsima.com/

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