Science and Mathematics in EC (EDUC90391)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The focus of this subject is how to develop children’s awareness of science and mathematics concepts in the world around them. Topics are centred on children’s everyday lives and the natural world, and draw on research on children’s learning. This subject refines and extends, as appropriate, teacher candidates’ content knowledge and understanding in science and mathematics, and introduces pedagogical knowledge for these two domains. This subject also explores the place of Science and Mathematics in an integrated curriculum and the use of ICT to support learning in science and mathematics. Science and Mathematics will be looked at in the context of the needs, interests and abilities of children from infants to eight years old, including an overview of the science standards in the Australian Curriculum (AusVELS) Foundation to Level Two.
Topics in the science domain include living things and their diversity and properties of water, air, magnetism, light and sound. There will be a strong focus on sustainability and the environment and this strand will be integrated throughout the program. Toys and objects familiar to young children will be used to introduce appropriate aspects of technology. Topics for the mathematics domain will focus on the mathematics encountered by young children prior to school. In particular, they will focus on: the development of number concepts including counting; the early ideas of measurement attributes, space and location; and the development of mathematical language appropriate for young children.
Teacher candidates will design, implement, review and refine sequences of experiences for mathematics and science.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject teacher candidates will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of how children construct mathematical and scientific knowledge;
- Demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge for developing mathematical and scientific understanding in children;
- Interpret observations of children in terms of research findings about mathematical and scientific development;
- Design experiences to develop mathematical and scientific understanding;
- Design experiences to help children explore how simple technological objects work and are used in their everyday lives;
- Assess children’s mathematical and scientific understanding;
- Respond to individual differences.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, teacher candidates will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to:
- Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify their practices as knowledgeable agents of change;
- Be flexible and able to adapt to change through knowing how to learn;
- Use research evidence to continue to underpin and improve their practice in mathematics and science exploration with young children.
- Have a conscious personal and social values base.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Early Years)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Assessment
Additional details
To pass the subject Teacher Candidates need to pass all 3 assessment tasks and, in addition, Teacher Candidates need to pass both the Science and the Mathematics components of the course.
There are three assessment tasks:
- A written assessment of science learning experiences equivalent to 1,000 words. Due mid-semester, 25%
- A written assessment of mathematics learning experiences equivalent to 1,000 words. Due end of semester, 25%
- A two hour examination covering Mathematics and Science during the examination period, 50%
Hurdle requirements: six science-related hurdle tasks in the practicum setting. Each task must be satisfactorily completed.
This subject has a hurdle requirement of a minimum of 80% attendance at all scheduled lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops.
Professional practice placements require 100% attendance.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Caroline Cohrssen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
The Britannica Pathways Science; an online resource accessible though the University library.
Clements, D. & Sarama, J (2014). Learning and teaching early math: The math trajectories approach. New York: Routledge
Collection of readings.
Recommended texts and other resources
Knaus, M. (2013). Maths is all around you: Developing mathematical concepts in the early years. Albert Park, AUS: Teaching Solutions.
- Related Handbook entries
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 10 February 2024