MBA504B Critical perspectives on mathematics

Contents and structure

The course is offered in the second semester and is one of several electives in this semester. The course offerings may change from year to year. This course will be offered in Spring 2019.

The course is open to incoming students with relevant prerequisites.

In this course, the students will examine how mathematics as a field of knowledge and kindergarten pedagogic and didactic working methods with mathematics manifest themselves in steering documents, with kindergarten owners, kindergarten teachers, parents, the children themselves or in the general public.

The view that there is a major need for mathematics teaching in kindergartens will be compared with how other fields of knowledge are positioned.

By forming a critical perspective of how mathematics is positioned in Norway and internationally, the student can develop an insight into how national and international tendencies to make kindergarten like school affect Norwegian kindergartens.

Learning Outcome

Upon completing the course the student shall have the following overall learning outcomes:

The student

• has advanced knowledge of how the philosophical and pedagogic basis for kindergartens is changing in Norway and other parts of the world
• can analyse how perceptions about quality in kindergartens changes over time

The student

• can analyse and critically interpret policy documents
• can analyse and critically assess of how changes in the kindergarten's philosophical and pedagogic basis impact on different groups of children.

The student

• can apply his/her knowledge and skills to recognise how children learn about the positioning of different subjects,
• can communicate about issues relating to positioning of different subjects areas in kindergartens.

Entry requirements

The students must have completed two of the three compulsory courses in the first semester of the programme.

In case of special circumstances, an exemption for this requirement may be granted.

Teaching methods

Teaching in this subject is organised in the form of lectures, seminars, student activities and individual supervision.

Field work may be included, for example in China, if the course is taken in combination with the elective "Intercultural pedagogy and glocal practices".

Supervision is available for coursework requirements.

The teaching presupposes that the students have worked compressively with the course literature in advance.

Compulsory learning activities

Project presentation

The students prepare a proposal for a project in which they document and reflect on the valuation assigned to mathematics and at least one other subject in kindergartens.

The proposal shall include an overview of all parts of the project.

The topic of the project must be approved.

The students will present the project proposal at a seminar.

Guidelines for the project proposal and the presentation are provided at the start of the semester.

Those who do not have a coursework requirement approved will be given one new opportunity to compensate.

Approved coursework requirements are valid for 2 years following approval.

Assessment

Project.

Students submit a written report on their projects.

Scope is 3500-4500 words.

Guidelines for the project and the report will be provided at the start of the course.

The submission date for the project report will be provided in Studentweb and in the digital exam system.

Grade scale of A-F, where F is equivalent to a fail grade.

In the event of a new/postponed exam, the same report can be submitted once in revised form within 1 year.

Examination support material

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