The lectures and workshops have finished, the assignment has been handed in and this module has come to an end. It has been an absolute whirlwind of a semester and time went in a lot faster than I thought it would.

When I first picked this module I actually thought it would be similar to higher maths – completing equations and such. When I found out it was an assignment we had to write, to say I was shocked and panicked is an understatement, all that was going through my head was; ‘how do you write 1500 words on maths?!’. I am not a fan of writing essays and was actually looking forward to sitting an exam which involved doing calculations (I’ve actually missed doing maths).

So, I think we’ve clarified that this module was not what I expected it to be. Nonetheless, I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the principles and concepts of mathematics and through this exploring I’d definitely agree with Liping Ma that teachers should have a profound understanding of the fundamentals of mathematics. I believe this, because I think you need a deep understanding to explain things and properly break them down and to be able to successfully and confidently answer questions. I concluded my assignment by saying that I still don’t have a profound understanding of the fundamentals of mathematics, although I do have a greater understanding than when I first started. Thus, I need to continue to explore maths and I will do this through reading and attending CPD such as those held at the science centre.

Something else I have gained from this module is an enthusiasm to explore mathematics. I never really possessed this before so I guess Richard’s enthusiasm must have rubbed off on me! I am confident that this new found enthusiasm will propel me and my curiosity into further reading and I will continue exploring mathematics in the future. I am hoping that when I next teach a maths lesson, this enthusiasm will come across and will make the lesson more engaging.

For me, there were many highlights, although if I had to choose my top two it would be Simon Reynold’s lecture on the solar system and Anna Robb’s lecture on maths and music, for both completely different reasons. During the lecture on the solar system, Simon highlighted the importance of using scale diagrams and not pulling pictures off the internet without explaining that they are inaccurate. Without pointing these things out and using different activities to aid understanding of the vastness of space, children will never have that understanding. The use of acting out the solar system with different sizes of balls was suggested and then demonstrated, and seemed possible to do within the classroom. Simon also touched on using big numbers, or numbers with powers, and told us not to be frightened of using them, but should try to give an understanding to the children of them so they become familiar and comfortable with them.

I play a few instruments and I think this is why the music input appealed to me. The music side, I was already comfortable with so I felt safe within this environment and it made it easier to embrace the maths side – highlighting the importance of a comfortable environment! I had never really thought about the maths element in music but it really captivated and excited me. From now on I will looking for patterns and symmetry and Fibonacci’s numbers within each new piece of music I play!

There is no doubt this was a thought provoking and enjoyable module and I am sad that it has come to an end. I would definitely recommend it to future second years and I will never forget Richards enthusiasm. I think a lot more people would enjoy maths if they had such enthusiastic teachers!