ESM724 - Teaching Mathematics: Middle Years
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Jill Brown |
| Cohort rule: | Students must be enrolled in D304, E377, E762, E763, E765, E779 |
| Prerequisite: | D304 students: must have passed 24 credit points of study at levels 1, 2 & 3 with a minimum WAM of 60% E763 and E765 students: 4 credit points of study including EEE754 plus 1 unit from EEE755, EEE756, EPR721, EPR731, EPR751, EPR781 E377 students: must complete 3 units from SIT192, SIT194, SIT291, SIT292 E779 nil |
| Corequisite: | Students enrolled in course E762 must pass any co-req unit in EPR724 or EPR784 Students enrolled in course E765 must pass any co-req unit in EPR754 or EPR784 |
| Incompatible with: | EME209, EME409, ESM424 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 2-hour seminar (workshop) per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 2-hour online seminar (workshop) per week |
| In-person attendance requirements: | Students who are completing professional experience (placements) are not required to attend lectures or scheduled synchronous sessions during their professional experience (placement). For the most up-to-date advice regarding your professional experience (placement) please see here. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This is the first in a sequence of two units designed to develop preservice teachers’ knowledge and practice as future teachers of mathematics. Effective teaching of mathematics involves teachers thinking and acting as learners and thinking and acting as a teachers, and reflecting on these regarding future practice. This unit simultaneously focuses on mathematical content in the Year 7-10 mathematics curriculum, the goals, aim and rationale of the mathematics curriculum and teaching and learning approaches that increase students' opportunities to learn mathematics in the contexts of the secondary schooling. Preservice teachers will become familiar with curriculum frameworks for developing Year 7-10 students’ conceptual understanding of the six strands of mathematics: number, algebra, geometry, measurement, statistics and probability; the four proficiencies: understanding, fluency, problem solving and reasoning; and the mathematical processes. Mathematical language, multiple representations, manipulatives, calculators and other digital technologies and a variety of strategies for solving mathematical tasks will be examined. Preservice teachers will also develop their capacity to evaluate high-quality lessons, understand and plan to implement effective mathematical pedagogies, and connect mathematics with the real-world, as expected in Year 7-10 mathematics classrooms.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Curriculum: Examine mathematics curriculum documentation to identify key conceptual understanding and procedural fluency and mathematics education research to understand how students learn mathematics and the implications for teaching mathematics. (GTS1.2) | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication |
| ULO2 | Pedagogy: Apply knowledge of curriculum and mathematics education research insights to plan for effective teaching strategies that support mathematics learning by all students, including manipulative and mathematical digital technology use by students, and an emphasis on the importance of language in the teaching and learning of mathematics. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Assessment: Analyse students’ responses to mathematics learning including assessment and demonstrate an understanding of assessment types and purposes, and feedback in supporting student learning of mathematics. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication |
| ULO4 | Resourcing: Critically examine a range of resources including effective teaching strategies (GTS 3.3) and use digital mathematics technologies (GTS 3.4) in preparation for implementation in the classroom to engage students (GTS 3.4) and establish challenging learning goals (GTS 3.1) | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO5 | Evaluation: Critically explore a range of resources to consider suitability for learners in meeting the aims of the mathematics curriculum, including manipulatives, calculators and other digital technologies and in developing as a reflective teacher. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Evidence-Based Report | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2: Unit Planner | 3000 words or equivalent | 60% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ESM724 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list.
Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.