The Vital Ingredients: adults learning mathematics

[Background] [Aims] [Outcomes] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

The investment made over the past decade in Skills for Life has meant that many people have gained their first literacy or numeracy qualifications, but we have far too many people with very poor skills, and the system isn't working for them.

The Government's 2011 Skills for Life Survey shows an alarming 24 per cent of the working age population have skills at Entry Level 2 or below in numeracy.  That's around 8 million adults. Put simply, around one in four of the adult population struggles with the basics of numeracy, a skill which can have a greater impact on life chances than literacy.

The use of qualifications targets for providers has encouraged the practice of 'teaching to the test', thereby 'plucking only the low hanging fruit'.  It is critical that we help those with the lowest skills in 2012 and beyond.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Aims

This seminar aims to share ideas and practice around numeracy learning and examine how more adults can be encouraged to improve their numeracy.  Adults are often fearful of joining numeracy classes and may remain anxious about numeracy whilst working to improve their skills.  The seminar aims to:

• bring together providers to share their experiences of improving numeracy learning and lessons learned
• examine how more adults can be encouraged to improve their numeracy, particularly at lower levels.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Outcomes

By the end of this seminar you will have:

• identified ideas and resources to use with learners at entry levels
• developed your confidence to teach and enjoy numeracy
• examined recent evidence about skill levels in numeracy.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Audience

Practitioners, curriculum or programme managers currently providing/delivering numeracy and/or with a responsibility for widening participation in numeracy learning. 

Delegates are asked to bring along resources and ideas to use with learners at entry levels.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Programme

Top of Page

_______________________________

Event Information

• Arrival and registration is at 10:30am for a 10:45am start. The event will end with lunch at 1:30pm
• The event is free to attendees
  (Tea/coffee and a sandwich lunch will be provided)
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed online application forms (one online application form per person)
• Video cameras may be in use at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

Top of Page

_______________________________

Application Conditions

• Event date: Tuesday 6 March 2012
• Closing date: Thursday 23 February 2012
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event.
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list.

Top of Page

_______________________________