Week 1: Evidence base

Introduction to Week 1

For an introduction to this week, watch the following video.

Weekly learning objectives

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

  • develop a more comprehensive understanding of numeracy, how its developed and the effective teaching of numeracy across different contexts through scrutinising the evidence-base.
  • argue what the characteristics are of highly effective teaching of numeracy
  • understand the Numeracy in the 21st Century model and how to incorporate it into lesson planning and practice
  • illustrate how numeracy teaching is relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
  • illustrate how numeracy teaching is relevant in early years settings.

Activity: The problem—Effective numeracy teaching

Purpose

Developing numerate students is a key educational priority in Australia. Therefore, teachers must have a deep appreciation for the range of effective teaching strategies to develop numeracy across a range of contexts. This activity has been design for you to consider and argue what characteristics contribute to effective numeracy learning experiences.

Task

  1. Consider the following scenario:
    • While planning a learning experience on ‘money’, Emily, a Year 6 teacher suggested to create a real-life shopping experience that students could connect to their unit on Economics and Business . This idea was met with some resistance from her teaching partner, Julia, who stressed that first it was important to prioritise providing students with practice calculating two digit decimals numbers from the textbook. Emily and Julia decide to seek advice from another teacher (you).
  2. What suggestions would you give to Emily and Julia about designing their numeracy lesson so that student engagement and learning is maximised? Argue why.

Hint: To justify your suggestions, visit Developing a capacity to teach numeracy in the Birth to Level 10 Numeracy Guide.

Complete the activity in your reflective journal.