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Matt Cornock,
Stephen Lyon,
Michael Anderson,
and
Paula Kelly
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed specifically for teachers and educators who do not have a specialism in maths, but wish to learn mathematical methods and improve their understanding. This course is suitable for: You can use the hashtag #FLSTEMMathsKnowledge to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed specifically for teachers and educators who do not have a specialism in maths, but wish to learn mathematical methods and improve their understanding. This course is suitable for: You can use the hashtag #FLSTEMMathsKnowledge to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed specifically for teachers and educators who do not have a specialism in maths, but wish to learn mathematical methods and improve their understanding. This course is suitable for: You can use the hashtag #FLSTEMMathsKnowledge to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- What is proportional (multiplicative) reasoning
- Scaling up and scaling down using the unitary method
- The definition and application of ratios
- How to use proportion reasoning when dealing with areas and volumes
- Proportional reasoning and ratio in applied science and technology contexts
- New teachers, student teachers or people just about to start their teaching career who are interested in increasing their mathematical subject knowledge
- Inexperienced teachers of mathematics for whom mathematics was not a major part of their degree
- Non-specialist teachers of mathematics whose expertise lies elsewhere.
- Teachers of science
- Teachers of technology, engineering and other related subjects
- Parents wishing to support their children
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/011fpz/maths
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Reviews summary
Essential maths knowledge for educators
According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in proportional reasoning, ratio, and scaling, proving especially valuable for non-specialist teachers and parents supporting children. Students appreciate the clear explanations and digestible content, which effectively build confidence in teaching these concepts. While its well-structured modules are praised for making complex ideas accessible, some learners with prior advanced knowledge found certain sections too simplistic, indicating it best serves those needing to solidify foundational subject knowledge for educational or support roles.
Provides a strong base, but not for advanced learners.
"Some parts felt a little basic for me as I had some prior knowledge, but overall, it reinforced key concepts."
"I was hoping for more challenging problems or real-world applications for secondary school level... Still, a good refresher on basics."
"I found this course too simplistic for my needs... This felt like a remedial course, not for experienced professionals looking to deepen expertise."
Features logical progression and clear organization.
"The course content is relevant and well-structured."
"The progression from basic concepts to applications in area/volume was logical."
"The course materials are well-presented."
Directly applicable to teaching and student support.
"I feel much more confident in tackling these topics in the classroom now."
"As a parent, I took this course to better support my child's maths homework. It explained complex ideas..."
"I now feel much more secure in teaching these topics. A fantastic resource for teacher development."
Complex math concepts are simplified effectively.
"This course was absolutely brilliant for helping me understand how to teach ratio and proportion effectively. The examples were clear..."
"It explained complex ideas like the unitary method in a very digestible way. My confidence in helping my son has really grown."
"I found the content and how it was explained extremely useful and easy to follow, making previously confusing topics clear."
Empowers educators lacking a mathematics background.
"...perfect for a non-specialist like me. I feel much more confident in tackling these topics in the classroom now."
"As a non-maths specialist teaching science, understanding how proportion applies to science contexts was incredibly valuable."
"This course delivered exactly what it promised: solid subject knowledge for non-specialists. A fantastic resource for teacher development."
Activities
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Maths Subject Knowledge: Proportion, Ratio and Scaling.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete Maths Subject Knowledge: Proportion, Ratio and Scaling will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
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Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Takes a deep dive into reasoning with ratios, exploring the different ways in which ratios can be used to solve problems in mathematics and science. It covers topics such as ratio tables, rate of change, and using ratios to make predictions. This book is suitable for students who want to develop a deeper understanding of ratios and their applications.
Explores the topic of proportional reasoning in mathematics education, focusing on the cognitive processes involved in understanding and applying ratios and proportions. The renowned author, Zoltan Dienes, provides valuable insights into the development of proportional reasoning in children.
Explores advanced concepts in ratio and proportion, delving into topics such as similarity, geometric ratios, and inverse proportions. It is suitable for students who have a strong foundation in ratio and proportion and are looking to expand their knowledge in this area.
Offers a friendly and approachable introduction to ratios and proportions. Using clear explanations and plenty of practice problems, it helps students build a solid understanding of these concepts. It is designed for students who need a straightforward and easy-to-follow guide to ratios and proportions.
Explores the role of ratio and proportion in architecture, examining how these concepts have been used throughout history to create aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound buildings. It valuable resource for students interested in the intersection of mathematics and architecture.
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Investigates the use of ratio and proportion in music, examining how mathematical principles influence the creation and perception of musical compositions. It fascinating exploration for students interested in the relationship between mathematics and music.
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Offers a comprehensive look at the Golden Ratio, a specific ratio found in art, nature, and architecture. The author, Mario Livio, who renowned astrophysicist and author, explores the history, mathematics, and cultural significance of this fascinating ratio.
This foundational work in mathematics that introduces the concept of ratios in a geometric context in Book V. While not a modern textbook, it provides the historical basis for understanding ratios and proportions. It is more valuable for historical context and deepening understanding rather than a primary learning resource for contemporary applications.
Provides a solid foundation in fundamental mathematical concepts, including ratios and proportions, tailored for those who will teach mathematics. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of how ratios are introduced and developed in early education, offering clear explanations and examples suitable for high school and early undergraduate students or those needing to refresh foundational knowledge. It is often used as a textbook in university education programs.
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Part of the 'Easy Steps Math' series, this book explains ratios in a simple and easy-to-understand way, focusing on calculations. It's suitable for students just starting to learn these concepts, providing step-by-step explanations and practice questions. is excellent for high school students or anyone needing a very accessible introduction and practice with ratio calculations.
This book, part of a series for adult learners, covers ratio, rate, and proportion, along with percent and statistics. It is aligned with adult fundamental math learning outcomes and good resource for anyone needing to build foundational math skills related to ratios in a clear and structured manner.
This historical text introduced the Hindu-Arabic numeral system and computational techniques, including those related to ratios, to Europe. While not a textbook on modern ratio concepts, it provides invaluable historical context and demonstrates the practical applications of ratios in medieval commerce. It's a classic for mathematics historians and graduate students interested in the evolution of mathematical ideas.
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Explores the history and appearance of the golden ratio (an important specific ratio) in mathematics, nature, art, and architecture. It's an engaging read for anyone interested in the broader cultural and scientific significance of a particular ratio. While not a textbook, it deepens understanding by showing the pervasive nature of one significant ratio. Suitable for all levels, from high school to professional.
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Offers a simplified explanation of key financial ratios for beginners, particularly from an investor's perspective. It breaks down how to calculate and interpret ratios used in financial analysis. This good starting point for undergraduates or professionals new to financial analysis who need to understand the practical application of ratios in this field.
This textbook covers a range of quantitative techniques used in business, which often involve the use of ratios for analysis and decision-making. It's suitable for undergraduate and graduate business students, providing a broader context for how ratios are applied in quantitative analysis within a professional field. It's a standard textbook in many business programs.
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Explores the application of ratios and proportion in art and design, examining how principles of geometry and mathematical ratios are used in visual composition. It's a fascinating read for students and professionals in art, design, or architecture, demonstrating the aesthetic relevance of ratios beyond pure mathematics.
Another key resource by Susan J. Lamon, this book focuses specifically on teaching fractions and ratios for deep understanding. It's aimed at pre-service and in-service teachers, providing essential content knowledge and instructional strategies. is crucial for anyone involved in mathematics education at the elementary and middle school levels and is often used as a textbook in teacher training programs.
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Provides targeted practice for healthcare students and professionals on using ratios and proportions for drug calculations. It's a highly practical application of ratio concepts within a specific professional field. This must-read for anyone in a medical or pharmaceutical program.
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Focuses on ratios and proportions, providing a clear and concise introduction to these concepts. It covers topics such as equivalent ratios, solving proportions, and using ratios to solve real-world problems. This book is designed for students who need a straightforward and accessible introduction to ratios and proportions.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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