Unit Catalogue

This unit focuses on developing critical pedagogical content knowledge and skills related to the complexities of teaching junior secondary mathematics. Preservice teachers will review the rationale, content, and philosophy of the Australian Curriculum in Mathematics, focusing on the relationship between how the brain learns mathematical concepts, content and the pedagogical strategies required to move students from familiarisation to consolidation or mastery of the concepts. Preservice teachers are also required to concepts, content and pedagogy and evaluate student-centred and inquiry-based approaches to mathematics learning through the design of contextually engaging learning sequences which build knowledge. Preservice teachers will critically review key mathematical ideas and proficiencies within the strands of Australian Curriculum Mathematics and will apply appropriate models, representations, and resources, including strategic questioning and digital technologies, to support learning. Preservice teachers will also learn to differentiate mathematics teaching that is responsive to learning needs and apply pedagogical tools such as open questions, rich tasks, and explicit teaching of diverse strategies for developing computational fluency. Preservice teachers will use the Australian Curriculum and knowledge to extensively inform their planning of teaching sequences that support the development of mathematical understanding, problem-solving and reasoning and to provide targeted feedback on the students' mathematical progress.