Vientiane International School

Focus and purpose

Mathematical Studies caters for students with varied backgrounds and abilities in Mathematics. Math Studies is designed to build confidence and encourage an appreciation of mathematics in students who do not necessarily need mathematics in their future studies. It is also designed to provide a realistic mathematics course that develops the skills needed to cope with mathematical demands of a technological society and to apply mathematics to real life situations. This course includes a written project of 2000 words. This will be based on the Mathematical aspects of a topic that interests the students.

Objectives

   
Objectives for the Mathematics Programme are:

1. to know and use mathematical concepts and principles;
2. to select and use appropriate mathematical techniques;
3. to communicate mathematically, using a wide range of symbols and language;
4. to demonstrate a good mathematical proficiency in oral and written justification for the method and process;
5. to organize and analyze data;
6. to recognize patterns and structure;
7. to apply technology to problem solving, to investigate and to research;
8. to evaluate different approaches to problem solving, the significance and reliability of findings.

Process

The proposed processes in which mathematical knowledge will be communicated involve different methods of instructions which are designed to meet all learning styles and ability levels. They include:

• individual and group work;
• “chalk and talk’;
• work with graphic calculators and computers;
• class discussion;
• oral and written presentations;
• logical reasoning;
• research, library work and investigation;
• brainstorming;
• mathematical challenge;
• dynamic answers;
• problem solving and problem creating;
• development of abstract thinking.

Topics

Topics to be covered in the Mathematical Studies course include the following:
   
    Topic 1 – Introduction to the graphic display calculator (GDC)
    Topic 2 – Number and algebra
    Topic 3 – Sets, logic and probability
    Topic 4 – Functions
    Topic 5 – Geometry and trigonometry
    Topic 6 – Statistics
    Topic 7 – Introductory differential calculus
    Topic 8 – Financial mathematics

IB Assessment

Assessment tasks can be divided into diagnostic, formative and summative. Samples of the formative and diagnostic assessment may include quizzes, discussions, brainstorming, self-check test, homework, oral and written presentations, investigations, calculator/computer activities, peer assessments, pre-exams, projects, portfolio discussions, etc. Samples of summative assessment may include unit tests, exams, projects, portfolios, etc.
 
Final assessment includes two parts:

External assessment

• one exam worth 80% of the final mark, which includes: one exam worth 80% of the final mark, which includes:
• Paper 1 – 1 hr 30 mins – (40%) - fifteen compulsory short-answer questions based on the whole syllabus;
• Paper 2 – 1 hr 30 mins – (40%) - five compulsory extended-response questions based on the whole syllabus.

Internal assessment

• one project/portfolio worth 20% of the final mark which includes:
• an individual piece of work involving the collection of information or the generation of measurements, and the analysis and evaluation of the information or measurements.

VIS Assessment

The VIS grade will be based on the differentiation of tasks and assignments from the above list.  These differentiated tasks and assignments will be handed out with the course outlines at the beginning of the school year.