General Description

Dyscalculia is sometimes referred to as 'the mathematical equivalent of dyslexia'. It is believed to be as common as dyslexia yet few teachers are aware of its features, its impact or strategies they could use to support students who struggle with maths because they have this specific learning difficulty. This course helps teachers to identify dyscalculic students and to understand the difficulties typically experienced by these students. It provides opportunity to learn about and trial strategies and resources that can be used in supporting dyscalculic students. The course will be of interest to all primary school teachers and to those secondary Maths teachers interested in helping students to address specific deficits that limit their progress.

SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS PLEASE NOTE: Dyscalculia impacts number sense and BASIC computation.  Consequently, this course does not deal with higher level mathematical thinking. In Module 7 you can read a blog on supporting a secondary school student with dyscalculia which may be of particular interest to you. 

Audience

Primary school teachers - new and experienced

Early Secondary school Maths teachers and SEN teachers

Teaching Standards

1.1.2 Proficient Level - Know students and how they learn - Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students:  Use teaching strategies based on knowledge of students’ physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics to improve student learning,

1.2.2 Proficient Level - Know students and how they learn - Understand how students learn:  Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about how students learn,

1.5.2 Proficient Level - Know students and how they learn - Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities:  Develop teaching activities that incorporate differentiated strategies to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities,

1.6.2 Proficient Level - Know students and how they learn - Strategies to support full participation of students with disability:   Design and implement teaching activities that support the participation and learning of students with disability and address relevant policy and legislative requirements,

2.5.2 Proficient Level - Know the content and how to teach it - Literacy and numeracy strategies:  Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement

Are you in NSW? If so, this is relevant for you

Completing “Dyscalculia: The Dyslexia of Maths” before 4th February 2022 under NESA’s interim arrangements will contribute 6 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Delivery and assessment of NSW curriculum addressing standard descriptors  1.1.2, 1.2.2, 1.5.2, 1.6.2, 2.5.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.