Math – Deepening Conceptual Understanding
Create instruction centered around building conceptual understanding of mathematics by exploring the importance of language, contextual relationships, multiple perspectives, and making connections between ideas.
Course Description
In this course, you will explore the world of math as a language through definitions, symbols, visual representations, and interconnections between different mathematical concepts. You will investigate and build upon your own experience with learning math at a deeper and more meaningful level. You will focus on answering the why of math (e.g., why do we perform operations and use algorithms the way we do?) What are the relationships between mathematical concepts and the world we live in?
You will work on building a deeper understanding of some specific mathematical concepts in number sense, including arithmetic operations, fractions, and proportions. You will then have the opportunity to extend this approach to building a deeper understanding of other areas of math, integrating the strategies you have learned into your daily practice.
Registration is Temporarily Closed
Registration is currently closed as we transition to a new Learning Management System to enhance your experience. Registration will reopen in January 2025. For questions, please email exed@umassglobal.edu.
Duration
Approximately 45 hours
Up to 6 months to complete courseworkEstimated Tuition
$400
Ways to Learn
Online
Credit
3 PDUs
Graduate Level Professional Development CreditsKey Features
Online and self-paced | Dedicated mentor | Interactive assignments
Real-world case studies | Authentic assessments | Earn graduate level professional development credits
Upon successful mastery of this course, you will be able to:
- Articulate the challenges in student understanding of mathematical concepts and possible gaps in teacher understanding
- Describe the connections between language and math and the implications for math instruction
- Make connections between mathematical concepts and the language, symbolism, visual representations and contextualized applications that are used in instruction
- Explain the meaning behind common mathematical concepts taught in K-6 classrooms from multiple perspectives
- Build integrated approaches that incorporate history of mathematical concepts, storytelling, and organic problem solving into math instruction to deepen conceptual understanding
Course Topics:
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Who Should Enroll?
- PreK-6 teachers
- Teacher candidates
- School administrators
- Para-educators
Earn your credit in 3 simple steps
Step 1
Register online.
Step 2
Complete the course.
Step 3
Receive credits and obtain an official transcript.
Resources
What are Graduate-level Professional Development Credits?
Graduate-level professional development credits are not part of a degree program but instead are primarily used for professional advancement such as salary increment steps and recertification. Students should seek approval from appropriate district officials before enrolling in these courses.