Students

MATH106 – A View of Mathematics

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Christopher Gordon
chris.gordon@mq.edu.au
Contact via chris.gordon@mq.edu.au
12 WW 618
See iLearn
Frank Schoenig
frank.schoenig@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BED(ECE)(0-12) or BEd(Prim) or BEd(Sec) or BEd(TESOL) or BTeach(0-5) or BTeach(ECS) or BABEd(Prim) or BA-PsychBEd(Prim) or BADipEd or BA-PsychDipEd or GDipEd
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is principally designed for students intending to teach in primary schools. It emphasises the use of imagination and logical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve a wide variety of interesting problems. In addition, the material is selected in a way that encourages students to appreciate the importance of mathematics as part of our cultural heritage. The material in this unit is accessible to students who have studied little mathematics at secondary level.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Develop an appreciation for the underlying mathematics found in everyday scenes and occurances.
  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form
  • Appropriate presentation of information, reasoning and conclusions in both written and spoken form to their peers and their teachers.
  • Ability to work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.

General Assessment Information

HURDLES: Participation in Small Group Teaching Activity (SGTA) is compulsory. Participation will be assessed by observation of students' work during classes or through submission of work completed during the SGTA. Participation and reasonable engagement in the class activities in at least 8 of the SGTA classes are requirements to pass the unit. This is a hurdle requirement.

ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION: Please contact the unit convenor as soon as possible if you have difficulty attending and participating in any classes. There may be alternatives available to make up the work. If there are circumstances that mean you miss a class, you can apply for a Special Consideration.

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION:  Assignment submission will be online through the iLearn page.

Submit assignments online via the appropriate assignment link on the iLearn page. A personalised cover sheet is not required with online submissions. Read the submission statement carefully before accepting it as there are substantial penalties for making a false declaration.

•   Assignment submission is via iLearn. You should upload this as a single scanned PDF file.

•   Please note the quick guide on how to upload your assignments provided on the iLearn page.

•   Please make sure that each page in your uploaded assignment corresponds to only one A4 page (do not upload an A3 page worth of content as an A4 page in landscape). If you are using an app like Clear Scanner, please make sure that the photos you are using are clear and shadow-free.

•   It is your responsibility to make sure your assignment submission is legible.

•   If there are technical obstructions to your submitting online, please email us to let us know.

You may submit as often as required prior to the due date/time. Please note that each submission will completely replace any previous submissions. It is in your interests to make frequent submissions of your partially completed work as insurance against technical or other problems near the submission deadline.

LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK: All assignments or assessments must be submitted by the official due date and time. No marks will be given to late work unless an extension has been granted following a successful application for Special Consideration. Please contact the unit convenor for advice as soon as you become aware that you may have difficulty meeting any of the assignment deadlines. It is in your interests to make frequent submissions of your partially completed work. Note that later submissions completely replace any earlier submission, and so only the final submission made before the due date will be marked.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
SGTA Participation 20% Yes Weekly
Assignments 60% No Week 6, 10, 14
Mastery tests 20% No By End of Semester

SGTA Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

There will be 13 weekly quizzes that will be completed prior to attending the weekly SGTA. These will be based on preparatory material for the SGTA. The completion of the quiz prior to the SGTA and participation in the SGTA will be used to calculate a SGTA participation mark. The best 8 of these will be used to calculate the SGTA participation mark that will contribute to a student's grade.

Hurdle: attendance and participation in at least 8 SGTAs is required in order to pass the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Develop an appreciation for the underlying mathematics found in everyday scenes and occurances.
  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form
  • Ability to work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.

Assignments

Due: Week 6, 10, 14
Weighting: 60%

There will be three assignments based on the material taught in the unit and on additional research that the students will be required to undertake. The assignments will require students to demonstrate understanding of the unit material, the ability to apply that knowledge, the ability to analyse and also to use some creativity. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Develop an appreciation for the underlying mathematics found in everyday scenes and occurances.
  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form
  • Appropriate presentation of information, reasoning and conclusions in both written and spoken form to their peers and their teachers.
  • Ability to work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.

Mastery tests

Due: By End of Semester
Weighting: 20%

This is a mastery quiz and a passing score is 20 out of 25.

For the first three attempts, 50% is awarded for achieving 20 out of 25 in the quiz, up to 100% for achieving 25 out of 25 in the quiz.

Students have unlimited attempts to obtain mastery. However, after the third attempt, the result is capped at 50% for achieving 20 out of 25 or better.

For instance, a quiz score of 22 out of 25 on the second attempt would be awarded 70%, but the same score of 22 out of 25 on the fourth attempt would be awarded 50%.

 

 

 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Lectures: you should attend one hour of lectures each week.

SGTAs: you should attend one two hour SGTA each week. (The external offering of the unit has three On Campus Days to replace the weekly SGTAs.)

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

The required text for this unit is the smart book option of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers: A Conceptual Approach Bennett, Burton, Nelson and Ediger, 10th edition.

The text is also available as an ebook or as a hardback, but we will be utilizing the smart book resources. Past students have found this textbook very useful and have also said they believe they will continue to use it as they begin their teaching careers.

In addition the following are some good modern websites with material for “Mathematical Outreach”. Some of the material is suitable for primary level, other secondary; but all is good for general interest in mathematics and its varied uses:

There are other resources which may be of use in your later Primary teaching. The Mathematics Department in no way endorses these products, but merely informs you of their existence.

Numeracy Centre

The Numeracy Centre (Room E7B G.188) offers free drop in help to students enrolled in first year courses with a math component. This help is available for students who are studying MATH106. See the Centre's website for further information.

Technology Used and Required

Students are expected to have access to an internet enabled computer with a web browser and Adobe Reader software. Several areas of the university provide wireless access for portable computers. There are computers for student use in the Library and the labs at 17 Wally's Walk.

Difficulties with your home computer or internet connection do not constitute a reasonable excuse for lateness of, or failure to submit, assessment tasks.

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

(NSW Syllabus Content Strand)

 On Campus Day (Externals only) Task Due
1

Problem Solving

(Working Mathematically)

   Quiz 1
2

Number Systems

(Number and Algebra)

   Quiz 2
3

Working with Numbers

(Number and Algebra)

 

 Quiz 3
4

Properties of Whole Numbers

(Number and Algebra)

Saturday, 10am - 4pm, 

end of week 4,

Covering tutorials 1 - 5

 Quiz 4
5

Properties of Whole Numbers

(Number and Algebra)

  

Quiz 5

 
6

Working with numbers between the whole numbers

(Number and Algebra)

  

Quiz 6

Assignment 1
7

Creating and Interpreting Graphs

(Statistics and Probability)

 

 Quiz 7
Mid Semester       
8

Probability and Counting

(Statistics and Probability)

Saturday, 10am - 4pm, 

end of week 8

Covering tutorials 6 - 9

 Quiz 8
9

Probability and Counting

(Statistics and Probability)

  

Quiz 9
10

Geometric Figures

(Measurement and Geometry)

  

Quiz 10

Assignment 2
11

Geometric Figures

(Measurement and Geometry)

 

 Quiz 11
12

Geometric Figures

(Measurement and Geometry)

Saturday, 10am - 4pm, 

end of week 12

Covering tutorials 10 - 13

Quiz 12
13

Measurement

(Measurement and Geometry)

  

Quiz 13

Assignment 3

due Week 14

 

 

 

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

SGTA Preparation

In this activity students will engage with online learning activities that develop some understanding of the material that will be covered and further developed in the SGTAs.

SGTAs

During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.

Lectures

Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Appropriate presentation of information, reasoning and conclusions in both written and spoken form to their peers and their teachers.

Assessment task

  • Assignments

Learning and teaching activity

  • During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.
  • Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106
  • Ability to work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.

Assessment task

  • Assignments

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Develop an appreciation for the underlying mathematics found in everyday scenes and occurances.
  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form
  • Appropriate presentation of information, reasoning and conclusions in both written and spoken form to their peers and their teachers.

Assessment tasks

  • SGTA Participation
  • Assignments
  • Mastery tests

Learning and teaching activities

  • In this activity students will engage with online learning activities that develop some understanding of the material that will be covered and further developed in the SGTAs.
  • During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.
  • Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Develop an appreciation for the underlying mathematics found in everyday scenes and occurances.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form
  • Appropriate presentation of information, reasoning and conclusions in both written and spoken form to their peers and their teachers.

Assessment tasks

  • SGTA Participation
  • Assignments
  • Mastery tests

Learning and teaching activities

  • In this activity students will engage with online learning activities that develop some understanding of the material that will be covered and further developed in the SGTAs.
  • During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.
  • Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Application of mathematical principles and mathematical thinking in developing mathematical approaches to solve practical and abstract problems.
  • Ability to formulate and model practical and abstract problems in mathematical terms using the methods taught in Math106
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106

Assessment tasks

  • SGTA Participation
  • Assignments
  • Mastery tests

Learning and teaching activities

  • During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.
  • Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Ability to construct logical, clearly presented and justified mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning at the level appropriate for Math106
  • Appropriate interpretation of information communicated in mathematical form
  • Appropriate presentation of information, reasoning and conclusions in both written and spoken form to their peers and their teachers.
  • Ability to work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.

Assessment task

  • Assignments

Learning and teaching activity

  • In this activity students will engage with online learning activities that develop some understanding of the material that will be covered and further developed in the SGTAs.
  • During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.
  • Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understanding of the breadth of the discipline, its role in other fields, its value in education in general and its importance as part of our cultural heritage.
  • Ability to work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context.

Assessment task

  • Assignments

Learning and teaching activity

  • In this activity students will engage with online learning activities that develop some understanding of the material that will be covered and further developed in the SGTAs.
  • During the two hour SGTAs, students will engage in activities that further develop their conceptual understanding of the material that is being covered. The SGTAs will be student focused with students engaging in collaborative group work in order to explore mathematical ideas and further develop their understanding of the content of the unit.
  • Each week a one hour lecture will follow the SGTA and will be used to consolidate students conceptual understanding of the topics being covered.