For the attention of: news editors PR4733
Thursday, July 10 2003
MATHS EDUCATION DIPLOMA LAUNCHED TO COMBAT TEACHER
SHORTAGE PROBLEMS
A new mathematics education diploma for non-specialist teachers and other staff has been launched by the Open University – in a move to combat some of the problems arising from the continued shortage of specialist maths teachers.
The Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education and its constituent courses are designed to help to develop the subject knowledge and teaching methods of those teachers at all key stages without a specialist mathematics background who find themselves teaching the subject. It is also suitable for numeracy consultants, learning support assistants and people working in home education.
Applications for one of the diploma’s first courses – Teaching Mathematical Thinkingat KeyStage 3– are now being welcomed. The 25-week course, which can be taken as a stand-alone course, will begin in October. It aims to:
raise students’ awareness of the differing ways in which people learn mathematics;
provide experience of different teaching approaches;
develop students’ awareness of the use of ICT in the learning and teaching of mathematics.
A shorter sister course – Developing Mathematical Thinking at Key Stage 3 – has also been developed. Both are the initial courses in a suite that will be developed over the next four years for teachers at all key stages.
Future courses will consider algebraic, statistical and geometric thinking as well as mathematical thinking in the early years. m/f
-2-
The courses are the work of the Open University’s Centre for Mathematics Education, whose director Barbara Allen said: “Retention and recruitment problems continue to leave many schools obliged to use non-specialist staff to teach mathematics at Key Stage 3. Many teachers of mathematics are in the invidious position of having to teach a subject in which they have limited subject knowledge and little, or no, training.
“We hope that the Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education and its constituent courses will help teachers like these to develop the skills and knowledge they need to ensure their mathematics teaching is as successful as possible to the benefit of all pupils.”
There are no entry requirements to the Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education, but it is assumed that most students will have some experience in the areas of teaching and learning mathematics. Computer access is required.
Potential students who would like more information about the diploma or about Teaching Mathematical Thinking at Key Stage 3 can call 01908 653231 or can click on the Education section of the university’s courses information website at
EDITOR’S NOTES
The Centre for Mathematics Education at the Open University aims to support teachers involved with mathematics at all levels, from kindergarten to tertiary. For more information about the centre, visit
The university also offers a flexible postgraduate certificate in education programme for those people who are looking to enter mathematics teaching in secondary schools. For more information call 01908 653231 or visit
MEDIA CONTACTS
Neil CoatenOpen University Media Relations01908 652580
Rhona MackayOpen University Faculty of Mathematics and Computing
01908 659948