Math Ed525: Trends in Mathematics Education (Syllabus and Old Questions)


Trends in Mathematics Education

Nature of the course: Theoretical Course no: Math. Ed. 525
Teaching hours: 48 Credit hours: 3
Level: M.Ed. Semester: II

Course Introduction

This course has been designed and prepared to trace the trends of various aspects of teaching/learning (T/L) mathematics education. It deals with the recent trends of T/L mathematics practices at different levels, from school to university. It focuses on the reforms of major areas of school mathematics along with their T/L issues and problems. It also assesses the rationale of T/L applied mathematics and illustrates some mathematical modeling. Besides this, it provides an updated overview of the themes, issues, and recommendations made by different international conferences on mathematics education. The social, cultural, and inclusive educational issues and problems are also critically assessed. Further, this course presents the trends of research in mathematics education.

General Objectives

The general objectives of this course are as follows:

  1. To enable the students to sketch the global trends in mathematics education from school to university levels, especially with respect to the development of curriculum, content; teaching/learning methods and materials, evaluation system and research.
  2. To enable them to sketch the developmental trends, reform and teaching/learning issues and problems in three basic areas of school mathematics.
  3. To have the students elucidate the trends how the concept of applied mathematics changes with time (This objective needs rewriting).
  4. To enable the students to trace out the different trends that are observed in the historical development of different Commissions, Unions, Conferences, and Olympiads, along with different activities of Nepalese mathematical organizations.
  5. To acquaint the students with the critical appraisal to address different issues (social and cultural roles, popularization, gender differences, ethnomathematics, and inclusion) in mathematics education.
  6. To provide them with historical and modern trends of knowledge observed in the area of research in mathematics education.

Contents and specific objectives

Specific objectives Contents
Unit I: Mathematics Education at School and Tertiary Levels (12 hrs)
  1. Discuss briefly the roles of philosophy and learning theory to trace the trends in ME.
  2. Sketch global trends of ME at different levels with respect to curriculum, content, methods and materials, evaluation system, research, and sociological components.
  1. Introduction
  2. TME at the basic level
  3. TME at the secondary level
  4. TME at the tertiary level
Unit II: Trends in the Three Basic Areas of School Mathematics (9 hrs)
  1. Sketch trends of the three basic areas of school mathematics.
  2. Review the trends of school geometry, arithmetic and algebra (with reference to curriculum, content, methods, materials and evaluation system).
  3. Give comprehensive views on the issues and problems of teaching/learning school mathematics.
  1. Introduction
  2. Reforms in Geometry
  3. Reforms in Arithmetic
  4. Reform in Algebra
  5. Issues and problems in the T/L the three basic areas of mathematics for the 21st century
Unit III: Educational Implications of Applied Mathematics (6 hrs)
  1. Explain the trends showing how the concept of applied mathematics changes with time.
  2. Clarify the reason for teaching the application of mathematics at different levels of schooling.
  3. State the issues and problems of applied mathematics in mathematics education.
  4. Analyze the impact of applied mathematics on mathematics education.
  5. Use practical knowledge and skills in the area of mathematical modeling.
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale to teach application of mathematics
  3. Trends in teaching applied mathematics
  4. Issues and problems of T/L applied mathematics
  5. The impact of T/L applied mathematics
  6. Some examples of mathematical modeling
Unit IV: Mathematics Education Conferences (6 hrs)
  1. Sketch the different trends of Union, Commission, Study groups, Conferences, and Olympiads.
  2. Describe the aims, activities and responsibilities of IMU and ICMI.
  3. Describe the achievements of different international congresses (ICMEs).
  4. Explain different formalities (selection of Jury, conditions of participation, and topics asked) in IMO.
  5. Describe the aims and activities of professional organizations of mathematics in Nepal.
  1. International Mathematical Union (IMU)
  2. International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI)
  3. International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME)
  4. Organization of ICME in different countries
  5. International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
  6. Nepalese mathematical organizations (NMO)
Unit V: Issues in Mathematics Education (9 hrs)
  1. Give critical comments on the social issues and problem in T/L mathematics.
  2. Appraise the role of culture in T/L mathematics.
  3. Discuss on the assessment system of mathematics education.
  4. Give critical appraisal to address different issues (popularization, gender differences, ethnomathematics, and inclusion) in mathematics education.
  5. Give critical comments on tensions occurring while dealing with mathematics education for the stakeholders of the 21st century.
  1. Social issues and problems in T/L mathematics education
  2. Cultural role in T/L mathematics education
  3. Issues and problems in students' evaluation system
  4. Challenges of T/L mathematics in the 21st century
  5. Popularization of mathematics education
  6. Gender difference in mathematics education
  7. Ethnomathematics
  8. Individual difference of students
  9. Special needs of students


Instructional Techniques

General Instructional Technique

Lecture, mini-lecture, brainstorming, group works, presentation and discussion methods

Specific Instructional Techniques

Unit Specific Instructional Techniques
Unit I Reading, discussing, reflecting and presenting different aspects of mathematics education at different levels from school to tertiary levels.
Unit II Internet Browse and presentation in basic areas of school mathematics in classrooms.
Unit III Peer-study, discussion, comparison and presentation in applied part of mathematics.
Unit IV Net Browse, reading of the text, searching journals and reporting about the resolutions of different conferences.
Unit V Critical discourse on different issues and problems, presentation and reflective writings.
Unit VI Mini-lecture followed by students' group-presentations in different philosophical views of research and research-areas.

Evaluation

Internal Evaluation

Internal evaluation will be conducted by the subject teacher based on the following activities.

Activities Marks
Attendance 5 marks
Participation in learning activities 5 marks
First assignment/assessment 10 marks
Second assignment/midterm exam 10 marks
Third assignment/assessment 10 marks
Total 40 marks

External Examination (Final examination)

The Examination Division, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Education will conduct the final examination at the end of the semester. The number of questions, types of questions and marks allocated to each type of question will be as follows.

Question Type Marks
Objective questions (multiple choice 10 x 1) 10 marks
Short answer questions (6 questions x 5 points) with two OR questions 30 marks
Long answer questions (2 questions x 10 points) with one OR question 20 marks
Total 60 marks



Test your understanding

  1. Unit 1
  2. Unit 2
  3. Unit 3
  4. Unit 4
  5. Unit 5



Old Questions

TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Education
Year

Master / 2ⁿᵈ Semester Time: 3 hrs.
Course Title: Trends in Mathematics EducationFull Marks: 60
Course Code: Math Ed. 525Pass Marks: 30














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