• NATIONAL STEM LEARNING CENTRE

Maths Subject Knowledge: Proportional Reasoning

Learn how to solve proportional reasoning problems and apply them to real world contexts and STEM subjects

Proportional reasoning, ratios, methods and applications

Subject knowledge for teachers and educators without a maths background

Proportional reasoning and the use of ratios is required across different areas of the mathematics curriculum. It is essential to many areas of science and technology and is used in a range of situations in both life and work.

In this course we will explore different mathematical strategies to enable you to solve proportional reasoning problems. By participating in this course you will discover multiplicative reasoning strategies, links between ratio and proportion and the ability to scale things up and to scale things down.

This course will have mentor support between 15 Jul - 9 Aug 2019.

What topics will you cover?

  • What is proportional (multiplicative) reasoning
  • Scaling up and scaling down using the unitary method
  • The definition and application of ratios
  • How to use proportion reasoning when dealing with areas and volumes
  • Proportional reasoning and ratio in applied science and technology contexts

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify problems that can be solved using proportional reasoning.
  • Solve problems of scaling up and scaling down using the unitary method.
  • Solve problems of ratio with two and three quantities.
  • Apply proportional reasoning to conversion and compound measure problems.
  • Apply proportional reasoning to scaling of area and volume.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed specifically for teachers and educators who do not have a specialism in maths, but wish to learn mathematical methods and improve their understanding. This course is suitable for:

  • New teachers, student teachers or people just about to start their teaching career who are interested in increasing their mathematical subject knowledge
  • Inexperienced teachers of mathematics for whom mathematics was not a major part of their degree
  • Non-specialist teachers of mathematics whose expertise lies elsewhere.
  • Teachers of science
  • Teachers of technology, engineering and other related subjects
  • Parents wishing to support their children

Who will you learn with?

Mathematics Subject Specialist at the National STEM Learning Centre, York.

Secondary maths teacher.

Who developed the course?

National STEM Learning Centre

The National STEM Learning Centre provides world-class professional development activities and resources to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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