Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses Mathematics

Pre-Initial Teacher Education subject knowledge enhancement courses are designed for graduates who need to develop a greater depth of subject understanding prior to commencing a PGCE programme.

Why study Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses Mathematics?

These courses are ideal for graduates who are interested in teaching a secondary priority subject but who may not necessarily have a degree in that subject. They vary in length depending on the subject and run prior to the Initial Teacher Education programme.

Course structure

The subject knowledge enhancement courses will aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Prepare you for the PGCE programme through highlighting issues of relevance to teaching and learning in your chosen subject.
• Inspire passion for the subject including all aspects of local, national and global developments within it.
• Develop a deep understanding of the knowledge, concepts and skills associated with your chosen subject.
• Model imaginative and creative approaches to teaching and learning, and excellent practice in assessment.
• Prepare you to teach your chosen subject up to Key Stage 4 (11 -16 year olds). The intention for the majority of subjects is that you would have the potential to teach up to A-level.

Teaching and learning will include a range of methods to enhance your knowledge and understanding including tutorials, practical tasks, essays, investigations, collaborative projects and presentations. In addition, there may be opportunities for school visits, fieldwork, trips and visits to help place your subject in a wider context.

Mathematics

• Full-time course commencing in January 2012 for 28 weeks.
• Teaching will comprise of up to 4 days taught sessions and directed task and at least 1 day of self-study.
• Modules include Algebra, Calculus, Discrete Maths, Geometry and Trigonometry, Mathematical Thinking, Mechanics and Statistics.

Course assessment

In the first week of the course you will be expected to complete a self-assessment of your prior knowledge. This will be used during the first tutorial to discuss where your strengths and weaknesses lie and what you need to get from the course. It will also form the basis for on-going self-evaluation throughout the course. You will be asked to repeat the same process before each tutorial and to bring an up to date self-evaluation with you to each tutorial. This linked with achievements on all assessments and is used formatively to help you set appropriate targets for improvement.

There will be an assessment task for each unit of work. These will take a variety of forms depending on the unit of work.  In addition you will be expected to sit a KS3 SAT paper; a GCSE paper and some A level papers.

You will be expected to achieve a sufficient or better standard in each category on each task. There will be one opportunity to re-submit any task that does not reach the required standard on first submission. You will be given the deadline for resubmission when the work is returned to you.

This practical programme relates to life in the classroom whilst giving you the knowledge and understanding necessary to reflect on your practice, and that of your colleagues, in order to improve your teaching and children's learning.

Teaching methods

The Enhancement Course takes place in a dedicated mathematics education room taught by a team of tutors, each with specialist expertise. The course is divided into specific modules, varying in length and style of delivery.  During the university day you will experience different methods of teaching and learning including:

• Lectures
• Seminars. You are set tasks such as giving a presentation on an aspect of mathematics including historical background or an application of mathematics in the real world and this requires you to carry out research.
• Peer Presentations. From time to time you are given presentations to prepare for the rest of the group and routinely you are asked to explain your solutions to problems to the rest of the group
• Solutions to homework explained by you to the rest of the course
• Practical mathematical tasks
• A practical investigation of your own choice which will require initial researching before you begin the assignment associated with it.
• Problem solving
• Time for self- study and carry out the work set.
• Using IT to support your learning and future teaching.
• Visits to the Meteorological  Office in Exeter and  Mathemagic at Techniquest in Cardiff;
• The opportunity to attend weekend seminars and conferences under the auspices of the Association of Teachers of mathematics including Maths Inspirations in Bath This is a set of lectures on range of mathematical topics, presented by a selection of well-known mathematicians.
• -Maths Circus. You will prepare for and then run a maths circus activities in two local schools linked to problem solving across the curriculum.

Application method

You should apply direct to the University, and application forms are available from the course administrator. In addition you will require a referral from your ITE provider.

Course enquiries

Entry requirements

There are no course fees for UK and EU students and, depending on the subject, successful UK and EU applicants may receive a tax free bursary:

Modern Languages - No bursary.

Maths - £200 per week (£5,600 total).

Physics - £200 per week (£5,600 total).

International fees for subject knowledge enhancement courses will be £9,000 for maths and physics. International fees for the other enhancement courses are available on application. International applicants are not eligible for the TDA bursary.

Career opportunities

The MEC is designed to enhance your existing subject knowledge with the overriding aim of developing in-depth understanding of mathematical principles and concepts and how they are inter-linked, as opposed to surface procedural knowledge. These courses are ideal for graduates who are interested in teaching mathematics, a secondary priority subject,  but who may not necessarily have a degree in that subject. On successful completion of the course you will be able to commence the a PGCE in Mathematics.

What students say...

I didn’t enjoy maths in school at all, and then I started tutoring it part-time and really loved it. It made me think ‘why wasn’t I taught like this’? I then decided that I wanted to teach Maths and the MEC at Bath Spa University was recommended to me. It’s really consolidated my maths skills and made me feel much more confident. I‘ve really enjoyed meeting everyone on the course and the support I’ve received during the course has been brilliant. If anyone is considering the MEC my advice would be to ensure that you keep your folders in order right from the beginning and also don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Genni Pierce-Butler, Maths Enhancement Course 2011