Postgraduate Module Descriptor


EFPM324: Technology in Mathematics Education: Shaping Mathematical Knowledge in the 21st Century

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of the module is for you to a) learn about how technological affordances impact on shaping mathematical knowledge and understanding, b) based on existing theories, develop your own ways of understanding of theoretical aspects of the teaching and learning of mathematics with technologies c) design and evaluate effective mathematical learning environments with technology for your own teaching contexts.

Specifically the module will enable you to:

explore current technology, affordances and potential in the teaching and learning of mathematics

develop a understanding about how affordances of technologies will impact on shaping learners’ knowledge of mathematical concepts

develop a conceptual and practical understanding of the nature of effective teaching and learning of mathematics with technology

identify the possible impacts of technological innovative teaching

develop skills to design and implement learning activities and units which reflect on theoretical underpinnings of teaching and learning of mathematics with technology

critically evaluate existing research in mathematics education with technology

develop your own pedagogy with technology in mathematics

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. demonstrate a critical awareness of theoretical perspectives and practical concerns in mathematics education with technology informed by your reading and professional practice;
2. demonstrate the ability to identify affordances of technologies and analyse how learners’ knowledge of mathematical concepts will be shaped by these affordances;
3. demonstrate the ability to evaluate existing software, to design innovative learning environments with technology and to evaluate critically by utilising relevant theories;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. identify systematically and evaluate insightfully current research and advanced scholarship relevant to the field of education and educational technology;
5. apply theoretical insights, through critical reflection, to evaluate professional practice with technology;
6. present data and findings in a form appropriate for educational and technological contexts;
Personal and Key Skills7. demonstrate the ability to identify and critically discuss current issues in education;
8. demonstrate the ability to reflect independently, critically and creatively on professional practice;
9. demonstrate the ability to construct organised, structured, critically reflective and analytic writing;
10. demonstrate the ability to manage time and engagement in the context of masters level study that has a high level of independent study;
11. demonstrate the ability to take the initiative in contributing collaboratively in interactive learning contexts;
12. demonstrate communication skills both oral and written and in on-line contexts.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

The module will be delivered through a programme of face-to-face sessions and/or online activities including lectures and seminars, peer presentation, group work, peer discussions and support, interactive activities, and workshop-type sessions to reflect the ILOs.

Supervision of directed and independent work will be through email, moderation of discussion forums and instant messaging/chat programmes. You will use a range of online platforms to support your learning.

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Introduction: Module introduction and philology; an overview of research in mathematics education with technology; an overview of available technologies; impact of technological affordances on knowledge and understanding.

Critical review of existing theories: Instrumentation theory and instrumental genesis; Affordance theory; cKc model for describing mathematical knowledge with technology;; Discussion how affordances of technology will shape learners’ understanding

Evaluations of existing software; evaluations of TouchCount (iPad), Dynamic geometry software (DGS) and Tinkerplots; Digital textbooks and web-based learning environments such as WisWeb http://www.fi.uu.nl/wisweb/en/; designing mathematical rich learning environment;

Pedagogical issues in technology; teaching approaches and interventions with technology; dragging modalities of DGS and task design; online discussion tools in mathematics; dialogic approach with technology

Reflection of practice and future perspective: use of technologies in classroom; evaluation of teaching; identifying issues of teaching with technology in future

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
10290

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching10Face-to-face four x 2.5 hours sessions including lectures, seminars and tutorials (Blended) with equivalent on-line provision for distance students (Distance)
Guided independent study20Online-based learning , e.g. undertaking pre-session reading, reading session notes, watching videos, posting notes on Hive and so on.
Guided independent study70Directed reading related to topics discussed in the module
Guided independent study20Preparing group presentations
Guided independent study20Writing blog entries
Guided independent study20Planning and implementing designed activities, analysing your own practice
Guided independent study10Evaluating existing mathematical software
Guided independent study10Field work including classroom observations and implementing teaching
Guided independent study100Preparation for assignments, further independent readings
Guided independent study20Contributions to online discussions and commenting on peer blogs.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Mathematics Education Journals

Educational Studies in Mathematics:   http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/mathematics+education/journal/10649

Journal of Mathematical Behavior: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/the-journal-of-mathematical-behavior/

Research in Mathematics Education: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rrme20/current#.UwTPrHkc2jM  

ZDM: http://www.springer.com/education+%26+language/mathematics+education/journal/11858  

Mathematical thinking and learning: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/hmtl20/current

ERME proceedings: http://www.mathematik.uni-dortmund.de/~erme/index.php?slab=proceedings

Technology, Knowledge and Learning: http://link.springer.com/journal/10758

Other Learning Resources

European Society for Research in Mathematics Education: http://www.mathematik.uni-dortmund.de/~erme/

David Tall Academic homepage: http://homepages.warwick.ac.uk/staff/David.Tall/