The Importance Of Unit Planning In Education

The objective of EDC141: The Numerate Educator was for students to obtain the chance to develop their mathematical skills, build mathematical competency, and positively chance their disposition (as a pre-service teacher) towards the importance and the functionality of maths. The key to success is to learn from one’s mistakes and work (by practicing mathematical questions) to further improve one’s results. This I managed to do by increasing my Mathspace results from 64% to 68% (as shown in Appendices 1A). The Australian Curriculum focuses on developing student’s capabilities in six areas: number, Algebra, Geometry, measurement, statistics and probability. Using evidence from the Mathspace test results, the NAPLAN results and activities of ‘What

The stage 4 mathematics Unit of Work (UoW) “Unit 10 Measurement, Length, Perimeter and Area” implements an array of concepts to aid the students to learn multidimensional mathematics through applying an Aboriginal perspective. These concepts that are outlined are the choice of and conversion between metric units, establishing and using formulae to solve perimeter and areas of squares, rectangles and triangles, utilising pi and solving perimeters of circles and solving problems using perimeter, area and circumference. Although the unit mentions the importance of the use the Mathematics problem solving there is a majority of content that is missing on the cultural aspect of mathematics as it highlights the prominent use of one-dimensional Mathematics.

In 2008 the new curriculum for the foundation stage in wales began its roll out. Its aim was to bring consistency and continuity to children’s education, thus transforming early year’s education in Wales. The principles on which the curriculum is based are that children should be provided with a good basis for future learning and the ability to apply their learning to everyday situations. Leighton Andrews, the former education minister, said in an article on the Welsh Government website that the curriculum was designed “to allow all children to flourish whatever their stage of development or learning ability” (Andrews, 2010). The Framework for Children’s Learning for 3 to 7 Year olds in Wales (here forth known as ‘The Framework’) outlines 7 key areas of learning. These are ‘Personal and social development, well-being and cultural diversity’, ‘Language, literacy and communication skills’, ‘Mathematical development’, ‘Welsh language development’, ‘Knowledge and understanding of the world’, ‘Physical development’ and ‘Creative development’. The curriculum focuses on holistic learning, meaning that whilst there are 7 separate areas of learning, they are to be taught in a way which entwines them together allowing for children to develop skills such as everyday problem solving by understanding that mathematics is not merely a school subject but a skill which is used in everyday life.

Curriculum is designed to develop successful learners. Confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens (MCEECDYA, 2008, p.13). In 2008, the Australian Government promised to deliver a fair and equitable curriculum for the national’s educational system, taking the task away from the State and Local Governments. The purpose of this was to create an even level of education throughout the country whether in Hobart of Cape York, and to ensure our nations position into the 21st century. This essay will demonstrate the Nation’s curriculum, its structure and development ready for its initial implementation in 2011.

2. Summarise the national curriculum framework for mathematics incluging age –related expectations of learners as relevant to the setting

It is very important to meet the needs of 21st century learners in both academic settings and corporation learning centres. The main factor that influences the curriculum development is the Australian Government followed by factors including awareness of the diversity in terms of the target community socially, financially and psychologically.

The Early Years Learning framework for Australia Document is important to have in our Schools; as it talks about how Children are confident and involved learners, we need our student’s to be confident and involved in all aspects of learning in the classroom. Having this in place means children get more hands on experience in the classroom and more room for activities, exploring and learning new things and not being afraid to step out of their comfort zone to learn. This means more creativity from students and their individuality to reveal and explore more. Having this in place means that children can connect with nature and the world and be able to communicate and have upright people skills from a young age. The early years learning

The recent proposal for a common national curriculum across all Australian States and territories has sparked large debate across the education board. This has left many Australians questioning the future direction of education in Australia. Stephen Buckle, principal at Narrenwood Secondary College, an Anonymous writer and a cartoon by Jobs provide strong opposing views on the suggested common curriculum. Buckle’s “Why should schooling change at every State border?”, reasonably contends that because all Australians are one, an individuals education should not be determined by where they live. She calls on the “predictable” choices made by State Education Ministers to be replaced by a common curriculum consistent across

The programme has been planned to support pupil’s skills in Maths which will develop their numeracy skills and therefor enable them to use numbers in a variety of situations throughout their lives, calculation skills that will equip them with the skills to be independent with their own finances in many different situations, and with Problem solving skills which will enable them with the skills to manage their own finances throughout their lives, with the ability to develop their skills and understanding of the value of money and supporting them to control their finances effectively (Education Scotland 2016).

The development of a national curriculum for Australia is not a new endeavour (Marsh, 2010). The ideal is that national curriculum across Australia would mean that students are provided with a quality education that helps to shape the lives of the nations citizens and continue developing the productivity and quality of life within Australia. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA] have the task of developing and implementing a nationwide curriculum. ACARA (n.d.-c) claims have addressed needs of young Australians while considering that changing ways in learning and challenges will continue to shape students education in the future. A look at what the Australian Curriculum is, its purpose, structure and scope,

Learning is a unique process that differs from individuals due to the style in which they learn. Learning style refers to visual, kinesthetic, and auditory routes, which are the three perceptual pathways or modalities of learning (Miller & Stoeckel, 2011, p.155). The visual pathway involves sight, and how an individual benefits best through visual stimulation such as reading, pictures, movies, etc. (Miller & Stoeckel, 2011, p. 155). A kinesthetic learner, which focuses on body, sensation, and motion, benefits most from hands-on activities that include field-trips, computer assisted instruction, or models (Miller & Stoeckel, 2011, p. 155).

Schools recognise that highly effective teaching practices are the key to improving student learning. Planning and delivering sessions with differentiated outcomes and activities is particularly crucial for enabling learners with literacy, language, numeracy and ICT needs to achieve. Separating schemes of work and lesson plans will meet the individual needs, aims and experiences of learners.

In exploring the Australian Curriculum, it becomes apparent that this curriculum was developed to encompass a wide range of skills and abilities that will be needed to enable young Australians to become productive and successful members of society of the future. The influence of a range of different curriculum models and education theories has bought together a comprehensive overview of what the Australian education system will deliver and how this can be accomplished.

After examining the Understanding by Design framework by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, I have learned how to develop a unit by working backwards. The development of a unit is multi-layered in its focus on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. In planning I need to first assess what the big ideas are that I want my students to learn and why they are so important. In our study of Mesopotamia, we look at how our world began with the first civilization and the achievements that led to advances throughout history. The big ideas framed as understandings that I want my students to know are that the locations of civilizations and city-states in relation to specific landforms affects development and technology achievements can benefit society in a variety of areas. Then I look at what essential questions are raised and what I want students to know and be able to do. The framework looks to deepen student understanding and transfer that understanding of knowledge and skill into a performance task and other evidence of formative and summative assessments.

However, further in depth research unveiled that there is a steady decline in mathematics performance in Australian school’s. This is due to unqualified teachers. Due to shortage of qualified maths teachers, thousands of children are being taught maths by teachers who are specialised in humanities subjects.