Mathematics for Primary School Teachers has been digitally published by Saide, with the Wits School of Education. It is a revised version of a course originally written for the Bureau for In-service Teacher Development (Bited) at the then Johannesburg College of Education (now Wits School of Education).
The course is for primary school teachers (Foundation and Intermediate Phase) and consists of six content units on the topics of geometry, numeration, operations, fractions, statistics and measurement. Though they do not cover the entire curriculum, the six units cover content from all five mathematics content areas represented in the curriculum.In this very short introductory course on statistics, we will outline the most important terminology which is often used in statistics, we will look at ways of representing information and then we will look very simply at some statistical interpretations of given information.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
A single Word processed document (23 pages)
Recommended Uses:
This module is best used to teach statistics to primary school teachers. It could also be used as a tutorial.
Classroom teachers, no internet required for the activities, parents of children who have the subject knowledge to deliver. These are basically lesson plans in the form of a document, with exemplar activities. Students could engage independently with this but would require an MKO to support.
Technical Requirements:
Access to Word, Open Office, or Adobe Reader is required to use the actual learning module.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
In this very short introductory course on statistics, outlines the most important terminology which is often used in statistics, looks at ways of representing information, and then looks very simply at some statistical interpretations of given information.
The overview is quite an accurate summary of the learning goals,
The LO are identified too, using Blooms as follows
" · Define and cite examples of key statistical concepts to be used in primary schools. · Identify graphical forms of data representation. · Differentiate between different measures of central tendency. Explain and cite examples of how statistics can be used in misleading ways."
Target Student Population:
College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some maths knowledge
No computer access is needed other than downloading the file initially
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Although this is a very short introductory course on statistics, it outline the most important terminology which is often used in statistics.
Clear explanations with worked class tasks; appropriate to the age group.
This is a complete bundle of material for a unit and is OER so allows adapting to a specific school context without the fear of breaking copyright.
Concerns:
Not visually interesting and quite prescriptive, e.g. no Take It Further tasks.
Plain document, little colour and quite dry to read.
No links to support learning e.g. a video which would ensure that the explanations are uniform.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This simple module on statistics is very useful as a tutorial.
For its specific audience, it's a good resource. Will support student learning in the setting identified.
Clear learning objectivess identified in line with Bloom's Taxonomy
Due to its structure, would work well as an "opening" resource, but does require adapting to a teaching plan/pro forma.
Reflection points built into the plans and appropriate.
Concerns:
Quite specific worked examples which means that the educator if unsure, would be liable to focus simply on the material provided rather than personalise to the class.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
This material is available in word or adobe format and easy to follow.
Very clear structure and a simple word document to download. Ideal for off line access.
Concerns:
Not that stimulating to look at.
Creative Commons:
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