Assignment Task

Scenario 

Some of your colleagues are interested in learning more about the value of play in supporting a child’s mathematical development. Your team leader has asked you to present at the next staff meeting about why maths is so important and how children can develop their mathematical thinking and numeracy processes through play based learning.

Therefore, your presentation will be professional and you can assume that the audience has some understanding of the content.

Support for creating your presentation

Slides: 

You will create simple PowerPoint slides that covey your information clearly. Your slides should be neat and have some consideration towards visual appeal and viewer engagement. However, you do not need to worry about slide transitions and moving elements.

Presentation requirements

Part 1 – Mathematics and Numeracy in the world around us

Explore how mathematics and numeracy are all around us by sharing 3 examples of where we see mathematics in the real world. You should provide, and explain, one example of each of the following:

1. Nature—An example of mathematical phenomena found in nature e.g. symmetry in nature as seen as in butterflies
2. Society—An example of where mathematics is applied in societye.g. the complex use of mathematics involved in the construction of stable bridges

• Personal—An example of numeracy skills used in everyday life e.g. administering medicine to children

Important note: There are lots of examples of mathematics and numeracy in the world around us so think carefully about your audience when selecting each example. Is it something that would be interesting and relevant to them?

Briefly explain each example:

• What it is
• Where it is seen
• What mathematical concepts are involved and how
• Briefly provide some critical analysis of the example. For example, in the nature example, why is the maths present? In the society example, have there been in advancements and/or major errors? In the numeracy example, what might the implications be if a specific mathematics skill was lacking/incorrect and/or what consequence might this have on the situation? The type of critical analysis will differ for each example.

Part 1: You might use 1 slide per example, or, you might use 2 or 3 slides per example, it’s up to you. Your slides and audio will be formal, third person voice. Use the Module 4 content to inform your responses. The week 4 activity on your Discussion Board will be helpful.

Part 2 – Mathematics and Numeracy in play

Part 2 should address the following 3 things:

1. a) Explain and justify the importance of play based learning in children’s development. Link this discussion to maths and numeracy specifically. Support the justification with relevant literature (e.g. the week 6 readings). Include APA citations on the slides, to demonstrate where your information comes from.

Note: This might be 1 or 2 slides. This does not need to be linked to your activity. You are demonstrating your understanding of the importance and benefits of play based learning, informed by the unit readings. Avoid copying and pasting from literature. Instead, give you own explanations, supported by literature.

b) Provide an example of a play-based activity. Include the following:

• Identify a suitable age range for the age range, e.g. toddlers / preschool children aged 4-5. This will help ensure the maths examples you are providing are age appropriate.
• A brief summary of the activity: what sort of play activity is it? How will the activity be set up with a variety of materials to inspire the play? Avoid listing all the materials here, just describe the activity in general, like an overview.
• Describe some detailed examples of how children might explore mathematics and/or numeracy as they play in this activity. Avoid listing many possibilities, instead, focus on providing some examples in depth. Spend most of the time here.

c) Explain and justify 1-2 key elements of contemporary perspectives. Support this justification with relevant literature.