Mathematics 2A - Algebra and Function

MAT2009

This course is based on Mathematics 1D (1-7 or 5-10). The students further develop their competences in teaching mathematics. This involves, among other things, to develop students' knowledge and skills in planning, implementing and assessing mathematics teaching in line with relevant research knowledge. The course provides a subject-didactic's focus in algebra and functions for primary and secondary schools. It places particular emphasis on working with different forms of function representation and the transition between them.

This course provides a deepened understanding of various important concepts in algebra and real-valued functions. Specifically, during the course we will discuss the following functions: linear, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions, and their patterns and relationships as expressed in different forms of representations. In addition, the course provides an introduction to didactic issues related to the teaching and learning of functions in primary and secondary education.

Admission to the study programme. If there are places available, the course can be offered independently for qualified applicants.

Knowledge:

The student is exptected to:

Have advanced knowledge of teaching algebra and functions at primary and secondary education with high cognitive demands
Have knowledge of different forms of representations of functions and the transition between them
Have knowledge of different types of students' reasoning and argumentation about functions
Have knowledge of mathematics didactic research about algebraic thinking.

Skills:

The student is exptected to:

Plan, implement and assess high-quality teaching about algebraic concepts and functions, in line with relevant research
Use working methods that promote students' wonder, creativity and ability to work systematically with exploratory activities, reasoning and argumentation
Analyze and assess students' ways of thinking, argumentation and solution methods from different perspectives on knowledge and learning.

General competence:

The student is exptected to:

Have insights into the importance of mathematics as a general education subject and its interaction with culture, philosophy and social development
Participate and contribute to Research and Development (FoU) projects and other collaborative projects with a aim of improving the mathematics teaching practice.

In addition to the semester fee and curriculum literature, it is expected that the student has a computer at his disposal.

Elective

In order to develop a research and development competence, the students must work with different methodological approaches, as well as develop a competence in raising research ethical questions. Emphasis will also be placed on varied forms of work, especially with a focus at preparing students for different methods of working that they themselves will have to practice with their own students. The teaching will consist of both lectures and student-active forms of learning such as problem solving, group work, presentations, individual tasks and conversations/discussions. Emphasis will also be placed on the use of ICT as a learning support tools in teaching. Parts of teaching can take place in English.

The study program is evaluated annually by the students through course evaluations and study program evaluation. The evaluations are included as part of the university's quality assurance system.

The student must have practice in accordance with the practice plan for the study programme. Practice is part of the mathematics subject in teacher education, and the experiences the students make in practice must be linked to the teaching of the course, both by planning before practice, and analysis and discussion after practice. Each student must carry out tasks in connection with practice.

Composite assessment - All parts must be approved/passed before a grade is given.

Compulsory attendance: 80% attendance. Evaluated to Approved/Not approved. Counts 0/100 of the grade.
Work requirements: 2 written assignment requirements. Assessed as Approved/Not approved. Counts 0/100 of the grade.
Written school examination, 4 hours. Grade scale A-F. Counts 100/100 of the grade.

Max two pages of notes, pen, ruler, and up to 2 bilingual dictionaries.

Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and delivering it in whole or in part as your own answer is considered cheating.

Algebra and algebraic thinking: Mathematics 1D (1-7 or 5-10)

Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:

MAT2004 - Mathematics 2B, 5-10 - 7.5 credits

Course language

Norwegian

Credits

7.5

Bodø, Levanger, Nesna

Teaching semesters

Autumn 2026

Responsible faculty

The Faculty of Education and Arts

Course coordinator

Assistant Professor

Nina Rokne Bye

nina.r.bye@nord.no