Prior to starting the discovering mathematics module, I was rather anxious at the thought of reliving my fear of high school maths. However, to my delight, the module was far from my expectations. Throughout the module, we have examined how mathematics is relevant in all aspects of our lives. For example, we have looked into the importance of mathematics in sport, music, medicine, Fibonacci, games and gambling – highlighting to me that mathematics is in fact everywhere and also eliminating my initial idea that maths is just equations and tricky sums.

Liping Ma has also been a key focus throughout the module. The four principles, connectedness, multiple perspectives, basic ideas and longitudinal coherence, are all crucial for a teacher to acquire. Having a profound understanding of mathematics is much more than just having great knowledge of the subject – but it is having an understanding that topics within mathematics all link and rely on each other. Having a strong sense of PUFM also allows an individual to know that there are various ways to solve a problem, and then choose the appropriate one that is suited for the mathematical problem. The Discovering Mathematics module has made me realise that it is essential for a teacher to obtain a PUFM in order to teach maths effectively and to the highest of standards.

Overall, the Discovering Mathematics module has stretched my view of mathematics by conveying that maths is much more than what we all think – that it is in fact a part of our day to day lives. It has also made me realise the importance of PUFM from both a student and teacher’s perspective. The module has showed how mathematics can be much more than trigonometry and fractions, that maths can be made creative and also can be linked to different subjects within the curriculum.