Mathematics Education
At the heart of teaching mathematics is the need to understand the way people learn maths, and an effective teacher employs a variety of ways of introducing the subject to a range of learners. Well qualified and enthusiastic mathematics teachers are in short supply, and there are a number of financial initiatives available to support those who want to teach mathematics. Visit the Training and Development Agency for Schools website for more information. Wherever you want to teach – from primary to FE – you will have to understand how the learning and teaching of mathematics are linked. And you will need to have enough maths yourself to enable learners to engage with the mathematical problems they will meet in daily life.
Whether teaching mathematics is your personal career choice, or you’re an educational organisation looking to bring your staff’s skills and knowledge right up to date, the OU Centre for Mathematics Education provides flexible and cost-effective study support, including:
- distance learning courses, books and resources to develop your own mathematics subject knowledge
- courses to enhance your teaching approach, covering subjects such as algebra, geometry and statistics
- professional development programmes for schools and local education authorities.
Where to start in Mathematics Education
In order to teach mathematics effectively you will need to have studied both maths, and mathematics education courses. The mathematics education courses are all at Level 3, so if you don’t already have good GCSE-level mathematics (or the equivalent), you will need to take some maths courses before you attempt the mathematics education courses.
If you want to become a mathematics teacher then you should study the courses that make up the BA/BSc (Honours) in Mathematics and its Learning (B46), starting with either Discovering Mathematics (MU123) or Using Mathematics (MST121)either of which will get you used to studying and teach you mathematics. For advice on which to take, visit Maths Choices.
If you haven’t studied recently and feel uncertain about your mathematics, we recommend starting with our short Openings course Starting with maths (Y162), which will help build up your study skills, and is particularly appropriate if you think your maths background is weak (if, say, you left school at 16 without a formal qualification in mathematics).
Don't forget that if you need help considering options you can talk to an adviser. And if you have some previous study experience you may qualify for credit transfer.
Degrees
-
Mathematics and its Learning
This degree combines the study of mathematics with the theory of the learning and teaching of mathematics. You will get a grounding in pure and applied mathematics, in statistics, and in the teaching and learning of mathematics. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree provides a flexible way to combine a range of courses from different subjects either to suit your particular career or personal interests, or to complete studies you have started elsewhere.
Diplomas
Courses in Mathematics Education
See the list of all our individual courses in Mathematics Education.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Mathematics and Statistics.
Spotlight on Mathematics Education
Maths across the curriculum
Mathematics is unusual because although it is a subject in its own right it also necessary in many other subjects, such as physics, geography and psychology. As a maths teacher, you will need to understand how it links with all the other school subjects, and often this might mean supporting teachers of other subjects when they need to teach some mathematics.
Who are these courses for?
The mathematics education courses can be studied by a variety of people working in schools and colleges. If you’re teaching maths or supporting learners of mathematics (perhaps as a teaching assistant), these courses will help you to feel more confident about your subject knowledge. And they’ll teach you about the theories behind the teaching and learning of mathematics.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
