Level 5 GCSE Maths – Session 1

Course introduction & barriers to learning

Welcome to the first session

By the end of the session you will be able to:

  • Understand the contents and structure of the course you teach
  • Self-evaluate your GCSE Maths knowledge and pedagogical understanding. (5.1)
  • Understand some of the issues raised by the increase in learners retaking GCSE English
  • Analyse factors that might have disengaged GCSE English learners. (1.1)
  • Get to know your peers on this course

Note that the numbers (5.1, 1.1 etc.) are related to Level 5 accreditation and these criteria will be explained as part of the webinars.

Session 1 PowerPoint slides

Here is Julia’s facilitator PowerPoint presentation for session 1:

Session Padlet

Here is the Padlet for this session.

Post-session tasks

Task 1: Consider Flipped Learning

Watch the video(s) below before the next session:

Hegarty maths http://mathswebsite.com/about/flipped-learning or

Khan Academy: Let’s use video to reinvent education

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTFEUsudhfs

Ask yourself, could you flip your maths classroom? Reflect upon this in your diary.

Task 2: Consider Motivation

Watch the Carol Dweck video on the ‘Power of Believing that you can Improve’ https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

Download Jo Boaler’s Setting up Positive Norms in the Maths Class

Follow some of the links to further information on each key point.

Explore Boaler’s website: www.youcubed.org

Note that for ease of access all readings are linked or downloadable from the session Padlet at the top of this page

Task 3: Your Reflective Diary
Regular entries into your reflective diary will aid the essay writing. Remember to add an entry into your Reflective Diary – you may choose to download and print this and include a physical entry or try to create an online diary using a tool such as Sutori or a Padlet Timeline. Examples are given on the Padlet. 

The completion of a reflective diary will assist you when writing your assignment, if you are seeking accreditation 

Activities to prepare for the next session

  1. Complete the online self-evaluation of your teaching practice (If you have not already done so)
  2. Watch the Video(s) on flipped learning here:
    http://mathswebsite.com/about/flipped-learning
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTFEUsudhfs
  3. Access the MEI Contextualisation Toolkit website:
    http://www.mei.org.uk/contextualisation-toolkit
  4. Refer back to Point 3 ,download and read A guide to developing contextualised resources.
    Note down key points for discussion in session 2.
    Download & familiarise yourself with the Context grid

Further reading for participants completing accreditation

All course materials were developed as part of an ETF programme by ccConsultancy and they both should be acknowledged if any material is used on other projects.