90 likes | 234 Views
Name: Yoann Henri Le Teuff Subject: Mathematics Core tutor: Jeanette Perry. University of Warwick Secondary PGCE 2004-2005 CA1: professional portfolio Task Number: 7 Title: Key Skills. Key Skills & Mathematics. Key Skills Communication Application of number Information Technology (ICT)
E N D
Name: Yoann Henri Le TeuffSubject: MathematicsCore tutor: Jeanette Perry University of Warwick Secondary PGCE 2004-2005 CA1: professional portfolio Task Number: 7 Title: Key Skills
Key Skills & Mathematics Key Skills • Communication • Application of number • Information Technology (ICT) • Working with others • Improving own learning & performance • Problem solving Mathematics is ideal to develop these skills.
Communication In Mathematics, there is the need to: • Explain and share concepts & methods. • Devise a logical reasoning: the thinker must be subtle, clear & articulate. • Understand and use numerous conventions, ancient and foreign alphabets, abstract symbols, etc.
Application of number • Mathematics is the subject of number manipulation and application “par excellence” (especially via Statistics). • Pupils must develop the following judgements on use of numbers: • How many decimal places are meaningful? • Which convention is best to write numbers (1.12×102, 2, 3.274658738, ¾, ∞, etc)? • When to use and not to use numbers (algebra, with substitution of letters by numbers) • Meaning of a number (size, ratio, probability, etc.)
Information Technology (ICT) ICT is very effective for demonstrations in Mathematics: it provides a feel for what abstract concepts represent: • Geometry: constructions and properties (dynamic-geometry software) • Graphing (plotting software) • Data handling (spreadsheets with statistical functions): for statistics and probabilities
Working with others Mathematics is not a solitary activity! Group work is essential in many mathematical activities: • Coursework: individual work benefits from group discussions on certain problems. • Investigation activities: teamwork requires exchange of ideas and hypotheses within the team. • Elaboration of proofs: does the current logical reasoning hold to others’ scrutiny?
Improving own learning & performance • Investigative tasks enhance one’s ability at problem solving. • Assessment of one’s weaknesses: straight forward; one needs to practice more what one did wrong. • Performance can be improved by sharing efficient methods and tricks with others. • Learning is always progressive as one can build on what one has already learnt.
Problem solving Forms bulk of mathematical activities. • Investigative work • Coursework • Solving equations • Deriving/using properties • Devising better solving methods • Getting an answer!
Conclusions • Mathematics enables the expression and acquisition of all key skills without contrivance. • The context where these key skills are involved can be found in professional life (e.g., Statistics and numerical-problem solving): little adaptation to ‘real life’ is required.