Module: Subject Leadership in Mathematics Education

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Subject Leadership in Mathematics Education
Module Code	EDP1051 (ITS: SG410)
Faculty	STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module is conceptualised as a community of practice involving interested stakeholders in quality mathematics education. The cohort of students will integrate their understanding of mathematics with a facility for pedagogy. Engagement in this module will prepare students to assume a leadership role among future colleagues in the teaching of mathematics in primary schools.

Learning Outcomes

1. Interrogate mathematics curricula and mathematical practices.
2. Articulate connections between mathematical concepts, procedures and activities for teaching.
3. Design rich mathematical tasks and develop authentic assessment procedures related to their use.
4. Critically examine relevant research in mathematics education.
5. Promote competence and confidence in the teaching of mathematics among peers.
6. Advocate for good teaching well taught in school contexts with reference to relevant research.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	24	Participation in weekly seminars.
Assignment Completion	24	Project work involving planning, designing and implementation. Culminating in presentation and submission.
Independent Study	77	Seminar preparation, research for project, other readings.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10394	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lorraine Harbison	Module Teacher	Sandra Murphy (Clarke)

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	Exploration of mathematics within the context of a real-world problem.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Current national and international contexts and trends in Mathematics Education
(including curriculum change, PISA, TIMSS)

Policy and practice in mathematics education at system level
(including the transition from primary to post-primary mathematics)

Policy and practice at school level
(including whole-school approaches, school plans, role of parents, nature of homework)

Mathematics for all
(including gender, inclusion, learning support, streaming, inclusive pedagogies, team teaching)

Authentic modes of assessment
(including assessment of, for and as learning, standardised testing, reporting to parents)

Learning pathways
(including progression, differentiation)

Task design
(cognisant of the totality of the Mathematics Education Major Specialism modules)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Lyons, M et al.: 2003, Inside classrooms: The teaching and learning of mathematics in social context., Institute of Public Administration, Dublin,
UNESCO: 2012, Challenges in basic mathematics education., Author, Paris,
Shimizu et al. (Eds): 2010, Mathematical tasks in classrooms around the world., Sense., Rotterdam,

Articles:

Friesen, S.: 2008, Raising the floor and lifting the ceiling: Math for all., Education Canada., 59219
2017: Mathematics Education in Ireland., In G. Kaiser (ed.) Proceedings of the 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education, 347,

Other Resources

Report: STEM Education Review Group (STEMERG), 2016, STEM Education in the Irish School System, Ireland, Author,