ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors develop a broad understanding of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. They appreciate numeracy as the authentic application of mathematics. The authors explain how children learn mathematics and numeracy, and develop an appreciation of the powerful role of digital technologies in mathematics education. They explain some principles for assessing mathematical learning. In mathematics curriculum documents across the world, including in Australia, it is clear that mathematics education aims to promote positive mathematical identities. Mathematics demands that attention is paid to the development of positive student values, beliefs, attitudes and dispositions towards mathematics. Numeracy connects the mandated mathematics taught at school to everyday situations that require ‘problem-solving and critical judgement’. The conceptualisation of numeracy supports teachers in making the distinction between numeracy and mathematics, and provides a common language to describe numeracy practices and the numeracy of their students.
