MTH6110 Communicating and Teaching Mathematics: the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme
Description
This module allows undergraduates to gain valuable transferable skills whilst exploring the teaching profession first hand by working with a teacher in a local school. The key skills gained include communication and presentation of mathematics, team-working, active listening, time management and prioritisation. The module will be supported by regular classes and assessed by a combination of written reports and an oral presentation. Registration for this module requires validation; places will be limited and interviews to assess suitability will be held during Semester A.
Details
Organiser: Dr R J Harris / Dr D Ellis
Level: 6 Credit value: 15 Semester: A and B
Overlaps: None
Essential prerequisites:
- Acceptance based on academic record and an interview in Semester A; consult the module organiser for details.
Restrictions: Restricted to Queen Mary Mathematical Sciences students.
Assessment: Journal of teaching activity (2,500 words) 30%; end-of-module report on special project (2,500 words) 30%; end-of-module presentation on special project (10 minutes plus 5 minutes discussion) 20%; teacher's end-of-module report 20%
Organiser's module website: http://qmplus.qmul.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1530
Comment: This module is taught in semester B but the acceptance process takes place early in semester A.
Syllabus
Students will typically begin by observing the teacher's handling of the class and progress from this classroom assistant stage through small teaching tasks to at least one opportunity to undertake whole class teaching, possibly for a short part of a lesson. They will represent and promote mathematics as a potential university choice.
Students will undertake and evaluate a special project on the basis of discussion with the teacher. This may involve a specific in-class teaching problem or an extra-curricular project such as a lunchtime club or special coaching periods for higher ability pupils. The student will keep a journal of their own progress in working in the classroom environment, and they will be asked to submit a reflective written report on the special project and other relevant aspects of the school placement experience. This format is standard within the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (http://www.uas.ac.uk/).
- Initial day of training.
- Competitive interview system to ensure students' suitability for the module.
- Student will be matched with an appropriate school and a specific teacher in the local area.
- Student will spend the equivalent of half a day a week in the school every week for a semester.
- No formal lectures.
- A supporting tutorial for one hour once a week for students to share experiences.
- Teachers will act as the main source of guidance but students will also be able to discuss their progress with the module organiser and the More Maths Grads team as needed.
- End of unit presentation of special project (15 minutes per student)
Learning outcomes
http://www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/modules/learning-outcomes#MTH6110
Learning resources
You should consult:
- The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics: http://www.ncetm.org.uk
- Improving Learning in Mathematics: Challenges and Strategies, Malcolm Swan, which can be downloaded from http://stem.org.uk/rxzr
Undergraduate Modules for Academic Year 2012–13 (last updated 4 March 2013)
