Outline

Overview

This is the first unit of study in a suite of Mathematics curriculum units. In this unit, students will consider how discipline knowledge is organised, taught, and experienced across the secondary school years. The unit will emphasise the integration of knowledge within and across the discipline and curriculum area of mathematics and consider the role teachers play in facilitating pedagogy that scaffolds subject learning and connects to students' lives. This unit will provide students with the practical and theory-informed knowledge required to respond to the needs of diverse learners in mathematics.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	72 credit points, including (EDSE2010 or EDHP2001) and 12 credit points at 2000-level from Mathematics
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Bronwyn Reid O'Connor, bronwyn.reidoconnor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ben Zunica, benjamin.zunica@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Heather McMaster, heather.mcmaster@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Group portfolio Group portfolio including a short essay, and lesson plan. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.	40%	Multiple weeks	1 x 1500wd portfolio
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Group presentation of an activity. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.	20%	Multiple weeks	1000wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Personal reflection Personal reflection and teaching philosophy, individual task. All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59	2000wd
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this unit.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
-	Practical presentation session	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 01	Unit overview, the NSW mathematics curriculum, and mathematics teacher identity	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 01	Understanding the place value system	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to pedagogical approaches to teach mathematics, and number concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Fraction concepts and their relationship with decimals and percentages	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 03	Mathematical proficiency and working mathematically, integers and indices	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Number lines and introducing negative integers	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 04	Addressing student misconceptions in mathematics, and fraction concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Mental strategies and the four operations	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 05	Diagnostic teaching approaches, and fraction concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Progressing students from additive to multiplicative thinking	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 06	Inquiry in the junior secondary mathematics classroom, and statistics concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Multiplicative thinking with rates and ratios	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 07	Planning in mathematics, and rate and ratio concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Differentiation in mathematics, and rate and ratio concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Marking in mathematics education, and algebra concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Designing quality tests in mathematics, and algebra concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	The role of ICTs in promoting learning and engagement in mathematics, and measurement concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	The role of ICTs in promoting learning and engagement in mathematics, and geometry concepts	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Literacy in mathematics, and probability concepts	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance:

The FASS Student Attendance at classes provisions provide guidance around student attendance. These are in effect from 1 January, 2025.

Within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Resolutions: Coursework Awards these are:

(1) Students are expected to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment. Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.

(2) Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority. The Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90 per cent.

(3) The case of any formally enrolled student who is absent from 50% or more of classes, regardless of the reasons for the absence, will be automatically referred to the end-of-semester departmental examiners’ meeting for a determination as to whether the student should pass or fail the unit, or, if a pass is awarded, the level of penalty that should be applied.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Hine, G., Reaburn, R., Anderson, J. et al. (2016). Teaching Secondary Mathematics. Sydney: Cambridge University Press.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Articulate the importance of curriculum and discipline knowledge in the lives of their future students.
LO2. Use curriculum and discipline content, strategies and resources to plan and implement activities for use in a range of contemporary education settings.
LO3. Select and design quality resources to develop a professional portfolio.
LO4. Demonstrate knowledge of teaching and learning strategies in discipline and curriculum areas that meet the diverse needs of students
LO5. Demonstrate a research-based approach to teaching based on a critical analysis of curriculumrelated documents.
LO6. Engage in collaborative professional practice with peers and colleagues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

N/A.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDSE3131: Teaching Mathematics 1A

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links