ACE ML

Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) in Mathematics Literacy (ML)

The ACE in Mathematical Literacy is conducted by the Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project (RUMEP) and is accredited through the Rhodes University Faculty of Education.

About the Course
Mathematical Literacy is a subject that has been introduced into the Further Education and Training (FET) curriculum (grades 10, 11 and 12), to be implemented in 2006. Starting with those learners who begin their FET schooling in 2006, every learner will have to choose either Mathematics, or Mathematical Literacy as one of their FET subjects.

Mathematical competency often serves as a very important factor, limiting the advancement of people in our society. For example:
• Most areas of science, technology and even commerce, use mathematics as an important tool for building understanding. In order for learners to be admitted to tertiary studies in these fields they would have to demonstrate an acceptable level of mathematical competence.
• It is becoming more and more important to be able to effectively analyse information to make important decisions for action in the physical, social, economic and political world. Much of this information is mathematical in nature and so it is necessary to be mathematically competent to effectively analyse the information and understand how it relates to the context. People without this mathematical competence are at a great disadvantage in dealing with this information to make decisions.

At present, the vast majority of South Africans are disadvantaged because they are mathematically illiterate. The reason for adding Mathematical Literacy into the curriculum is to ensure that all learners develop a workable understanding of mathematics and how it relates to the world. This will ensure that they are able to use mathematical information to make reasonable decisions effecting their life, their work and their society. The government is strongly behind this subject, and it is seen as a very important educational step towards empowering the mathematically disadvantaged majority in the country.

The ACE in Mathematical Literacy provides teachers the opportunity to become qualified to teach Mathematical Literacy. Students will develop experience in using mathematics to make decisions and act in many different real world contexts. This will ensure that they themselves become mathematically literate and skilled at seeing and using the interaction between mathematics and the world. Students will also work extensively with issues of planning and implementing teaching activities so that all the learners in their class are able to become mathematically literate. This is particularly important in the light of the fact that most learners of FET mathematics fail to develop the mathematical competencies that are taught in the class.

The course balances theoretical concerns involving teaching and learning, methodology and content, with the practical concern of working for effective teaching in the routine school environment. It focuses on reflective practice, a process in which teachers make sense of their experiences to enable them to address current problems in the classroom. Reflection supports teachers in understanding the complexities of teaching and enables them to improve the teaching and learning in the classroom.

Course Components
The course consists of four components. The first three focus on the three major context strands in the mathematical literacy curriculum. The fourth is a more reflective component, allowing students to deepen the insights gained in the first three, and to work practically to prepare for implementation of the subject. The components are:

• Mathematical literacy for self managing persons.
• Mathematical literacy in the workplace.
• Mathematical literacy for concerned citizens.
• Developing mathematical skills in context.

Course Outline
This is a part time course, over two years. Students will meet at Rhodes University for 4 week long blocks throughout each year. They will stay in residence for these periods, allowing students to participate in the collegial environment of the university, attending lectures and engaging in collaborative inquiry. Collaborative group work allows teachers to work less as isolated individuals but rather as colleagues sharing knowledge and experiences. It also offers teachers opportunity to face the changes in teaching.

Through the course of each year, students are expected to implement work from the contact sessions, in their own classroom teaching practice. Should funding be available, RUMEP staff will follow-up students in their schools, providing mentoring for the students as they develop their teaching skills. A teaching portfolio will be developed to provide evidence of the practical implementation of their learning. In addition, teachers will develop a number of different teaching resources for themselves.

Fees, Bursaries and Applications
As the cost of the course will include both academic registration and residence fees. RUMEP makes every effort to obtain funding for bursaries for participants. If possible the bursary funding will allow for mentoring in schools.

Further information

For more information please contact:
Dr Rose Spanneberg
Director
RUMEP
Rhodes University
P.O.Box 94
Grahamstown, 6140
Phone: 046 603 8166
Fax: 046 622 5213
Email: r.spanneberg@ru.ac.za

Application forms are available from:
The Student Bureau
Rhodes University
P.O. Box 94
Grahamstown, 6140
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 8276
Fax: +27 (0) 46 603 7350
Email: registra@ru.ac.za
Website: http://www.ru.ac.za/applying

Application forms can also be obtained by phoning the RUMEP secretary at (046) 603 8166 or sending an email to Lynette at L.Sparrow@ru.ac.za