Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours
Teaching Mathematics: Demystifying Statistics and Probability
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Explore the probability and statistics secondary school curriculum
In a data-rich world, probability and statistics have become a key cornerstone of the maths curriculum.
On this three-week course, you’ll learn to incorporate new teaching and learning approaches that reflect the importance of statistics and probability in the digital age.
Improve your own mathematical literacy to inform your curriculum design
You’ll consider the real-world applications of probability and statistics, allowing you to contextualise a topic that many students find daunting.
Equipped with a range of practical tools, you’ll gain the skills to deliver relevant, accessible content to students from the beginning of high school up to their final exams.
You’ll develop teaching strategies aimed at both junior and senior level, giving you the confidence to pitch your content at the right levels and differentiate for your learners.
Effectively explain complex concepts using the appropriate technical language
Mathematical language can often be seen as a barrier to understanding by students.
Armed with useful keywords that you can introduce to students early on in their maths journey, you’ll ensure their confidence in the correct usage and application as they progress.
Collaborate with fellow learners and share best practice techniques
You’ll finish this course by devising an explanation for two different concepts that could be used in the classroom.
By sharing your thoughts and offering feedback, you’ll discover new perspectives and best practice techniques from educators around the world.
By the end of this course, you’ll have enhanced your understanding of the statistics and probability curriculum, and have developed new approaches to explaining concepts at a variety of levels.
Syllabus
Week 1
Understanding statistics and probability
Welcome
Welcome to Teaching mathematics: demystifying statistics and probability.
Purpose, role and language of statistics
This section will take you through what statistics are, the role they play in society, why developing statistical thinking skills is so important for students, and how the statistics language is used.
Purpose, role and language of probability
This section will take you through what probability is, how it applies to the real world, and the specific language used to describe it.
Week 2
Statistics and probability in junior high school
Unpacking statistics and probability curriculum
It is important to understand the curriculum you are required to teach so you can provide the best teaching and learning experience.
Troublesome knowledge in statistics and probability
In this section, we will be looking at troublesome concepts and knowledge that may not be taught well in junior high classrooms.
Learning activity
Make progress on your learning activity by completing one of the scripts.
Week 3
Statistics and probability in senior high school
Unpacking statistical requirements senior mathematics
In this section of the topic, you will be investigating some of the new content and concepts mathematics syllabi. While this topic does not cover all new content, it will endeavor to address some concerns.
Investigating bivariate data
This topic will explore bivariate data and unpack some difficult concepts.
Investigating time series analysis
Time series analyses are used by students to investigate trends in data over time.
Learning activity
This topic gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to a learning activity.
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...
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of and skills with mathematical concepts and procedures related to statistics and probability
- Demonstrate advanced reasoning, problem solving, fluency and understanding in the thinking, teaching, and doing of probability and statistics
- Explain probability and statistics concepts to target audiences
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for maths teachers who want to develop strategies for effectively teaching statistics and probability across all years of secondary school.
It’s particularly suited to newly qualified teachers or those considering a career as a maths teacher.
What software or tools do you need?
To take part in this course, you will need a word processing program and a calculator.
Who will you learn with?
I am Head of School of Maths, Physics, and Computing at UniSQ. I have taught first year mathematics courses and I have strong links with schools providing programs and activities for school students.
With a background in secondary maths education, I now teach introductory statistics and work with preservice maths teachers at tertiary level.
Who developed the course?
University of Southern Queensland
UniSQ provides career-focused, quality on-campus and online education and has done for over 50 years. UniSQ has scored five stars for employability and internationalisation (QS Stars rankings, 2019) and is Australia’s No. 1 university for the highest graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide 2018-20).
Established
1967Location
Toowoomba, Springfield and Ipswich in Queensland, Australia
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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