Introduction to O week

So far you have been introduced to the OER and the Birth to Level 10 Numeracy Guide. Now you will be introduced to the Orientation Week. Watch the following short video for an orientation to the OER.

Weekly learning objectives

By the end of this week, you will be able to:

  • analyse the terms numeracy and mathematics,
    • define numeracy
    • interrogate the difference between numeracy and mathematics
  • plan for teaching and learning activities that foster students’ numeracy,
  • locate resources and evidence-based materials to support planning and teaching of numeracy.

Documenting your learning - Reflective Journal

It is important for you to document your learning as you engage with this OER in a reflective journal. We suggest you use a notebook or an electronic device to record your responses and opinions to questions, and the different activities throughout this resource.

Each of the activities is designed for you to demonstrate achieving one or more of the weekly learning objectives as you engage with the OER and use the Birth to Level 10 Numeracy Guide to improve your practice.

Throughout the OER, there are invitations to engage in reflective prompts to foster your capability, self-reflection and metacognition (understanding how you learn). Reflective writing and sharing your ideas with peers way is an effective was to document your learning.

Activity: The problem—Interrogating the difference between numeracy and mathematics

Purpose

Often educators struggle to articulate the difference between numeracy and mathematics. This may lead to confusion as to how to foster numeracy in everyday situations. This activity has been designed to help you understand why it is important for educators to understand the difference between numeracy and mathematics.

Complete this activity in your reflective journal.


Task

  1. Consider the following scenario:
    • This morning while Mika was making his breakfast before school, he was complaining to himself, “Why do I have to learn maths. I am never going to use it”.
  2. List some everyday activities Mika does that would require applying mathematical skills and knowledge.

Hint: You can visit Fun numeracy activities to share at home with your child in the Birth to Level 10 Numeracy Guide for some ideas on everyday tasks that children and young people do at home.

Note in your reflective journal the numerate behaviours that you have witnessed or exhibited yourself today.