Date:

17 Jun 2013

Venue:

London:
Congress House, 28 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS

Ref:

C3173/0613

Fee:

£50 : Staff from partner organisations and for union members
£100 : Full fee

Background

We know that adults benefit from maths learning and that strong maths skills are linked to better life chances. However, around one in four of the adult population struggle with maths and many think it is a subject that is either too difficult or not relevant to their everyday lives.

Action on Adult Maths is a NIACE-led initiative to raise awareness of the role, value and importance of maths for adults. We have brought together a range of partners to support maths learning and develop a range of approaches, resources and training.

Aims

This conference aims to showcase the recent work carried out by our partners to promote, encourage and develop maths learning for adults.

Outcomes

By the end of this event you will have:

• identified the key messages of Maths4us
• increased your knowledge of the range of initiatives, resources and training available to promote and support adult maths learning
• reflected on your own practice and identified ideas and resources to promote and support maths learning.

Audience

Managers and practitioners delivering Functional Skills Maths;
Researchers and academics interested in adult maths;
Employers;
Employer organisations;
Family learning and early years practitioners;
Advice workers;
Unions and ULRs involved in workplace maths.

Programme

09:45

Arrival, registration, exhibitions and networking (tea/coffee available)

10:30

Welcome and introduction to the day and key messages

Carol Taylor OBE, Director for Research and Development, NIACE

10:45

Keynote Address from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Anthony Chalmers (invited)

11:05

Inputs from Maths Champions
Maths Champions talk about their role and what they have done to encourage maths learning

11:35

The role of technology in maths learning
Susan Easton, Programme Manager for Digital Learning, NIACE

12:00

Lunch and learn
Exhibitions from partners and demonstrations of resources and training

12:50

Movement to workshop rooms

13:00

Workshops – Session 1

S1.1. Maths Champions – How ULRs and WLAs engage with peers about maths
Frances Graham, Workbase Training

The workshop will show how ULRs (unionlearning reps) and WLAs (workplace learning advocates) have become Maths Champions in workplaces. The power of peer support has encouraged maths awareness and interest. There has been a huge interest in this role. Over 800 ULRs and WLAs have embraced it in a matter of months. Peers understand the issues and barriers and are well placed to get Maths Learning going. Examples of workplace activities and ideas to maintain maths awareness in the future will be presented by WLAs and ULRs.

S1.2. Maths4families: supporting parents and early years’ practitioners
Claire Meade and Karen Fairfax-Chomley, NIACE Associates

NIACE has developed a resource pack for families and training for practitioners building on the learning champion model. This interactive workshop will explore a range of activities and resources for practitioners and families that have been developed and piloted to engage families in learning maths together.

S1.3. Maths4teachers: energising maths teachers
Pip Kings, Director LONCETT and Development Director, NRDC, Norma Honey and Jane Annets

In this world of level 2 maths for all, how is the teaching workforce coping? The re-modelled Maths Energisers have been trialled with teachers around the country and trainers have found a huge range of experience, skills, qualifications and confidence. This workshop will feedback on the success of the pilots and demonstrate some innovative strategies and approaches to maths teaching. There will also be opportunities to discuss challenges for adult maths teaching and learning.

S1.4. Open Online learning: Everyday Finance
Beth Kelly, Chief Executive, Learning Unlimited and Ruth Moulton, Learning Unlimited (CAB Homeless Link)

Maths skills are a key part of developing confidence when trying to sort out personal finances. This On-line course highlights some of the maths involved in working out how much you can earn and spend when earning hourly, weekly or monthly pay, using video, interactive quizzes and games.

S1.5. Baking with friends
Hannah Goraya, Online Centres Foundation

14:00

Movement to workshop rooms

14:10

S2.1. The National Numeracy Challenge – not just an assessment tool
(To be confirmed)

The Challenge is a major drive to reduce the number of adults in the UK with low levels of numeracy by over 1 million in the next 5 years. National Numeracy will be working with employers, colleges, outreach organisations and directly with individuals to make this project a reality, so everyone has an opportunity to get involved. This session provides an overview of the project including, looking at the online assessment tool, the personalised learning programme and how it seeks to transform negative attitudes to numeracy and maths and create a more positive “can do” attitude.

S2.2. Peer support: Maths Mentors in prisons

Sue Southwood, Programme Manager, NIACE

Improving confidence and raising achievement in maths learning can play a significant part in reducing recidivism and raise the expectations and aspirations of offenders in respect of learning and employment. NIACE has carried out a small-scale research project to explore whether a Maths Mentors’ model can work in prisons and to identify the critical success factors to roll out further.

This workshop will report on this development work and the lessons learned for peer mentoring in maths.

S2.3. Open Online family learning: A chance to engage with a new innovative online approach to family learning.
Jackie Ashton, Learning Unlimited

Family learning is popular and research suggests it is successful in the UK: Desforges and Abouchaar (2003), Nutbrown et al (2005), and Feinstein et al 2004)./ The principles of family learning often include, building on home culture and experience, participatory learning, promoting a culture of aspirations and providing opportunities to build confidence and try out new skills and ideas (Lamb, 2009:3). Having accepted these principles, the challenge was to create an online-based family maths course that upheld this pedagogical approach and that was unique and different from other internet resources.

This prompted a unique production of unscripted video recording of parents interacting with their children, playing games, doing activities and talking about maths.

S2.4. Open Online learning: Everyday Maths
Rachel Stone, Learning Unlimited

Maths skills occur everywhere in our lives. The Everyday Maths open online learning course highlights some of the maths involved in nutrition and time-keeping in an interesting way, using video and interactive quizzes.

S2.5. Community of Practice (CoP) for maths
Kevin Campbell-Wright, Project Officer, NIACE
A community for maths champions: With hundreds volunteering to be maths champions, there’s a need for a place for them to meet, swap ideas, talk about resources and move to the next level. This workshop will showcase NIACE’s Maths Champions Community of Practice, demonstrating how it will be populated and how delegates can play their part in championing maths by joining the community.

15:10

Plenary and action planning

15:30

Close of conference

Event Information

• Arrival and registration are at 9:45am for a 10:30am start. The event will end at 3:30pm
• Event fee per person (includes sandwich lunch, tea/coffee): Staff from Partner organisations and union members: £ 50.00; Full Fee £100.00
• NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference or course fees
• Only online application forms with the payments section completed will be processed.
• NB: If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed
• 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: [email protected]

Application Conditions

• Event date: Monday 17 June 2013
• Closing date: Thursday 6 June 2013
• Cancellations are non-refundable
• The full fee is payable prior to the event
• 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.

The post Maths4us Showcase Event appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

Figures show that almost half the working population of England have only primary school maths skills, the level expected of an 11-year-old.

Click here to watch a short clip about Edmund Iskander, a Maths Champion who is helping his fellow colleagues at the bus depot to embrace maths.

The post Government recruits ‘maths champions’ for the workplace appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

When their union, Usdaw, offered help finding basic skills courses at local colleges in 2007, through the Check-out Learning campaign, the five staff at Tesco, Old Swan, instead negotiated space in the store’s training room and had tutors brought in to teach them.

“We didn’t think it would work,” said Julia Baldwin, their Adult Learners’ Week award nominator and union lifelong learning project worker. “But it did and now we are using it across the sector. It shows that when you listen to the learners you get the best ideas.” The five managed to fit in their ESF-funded learning around shifts and busy lives and have gained qualifications ranging from Entry Level numeracy and literacy to basic Spanish, IT and sign language certificates.

Helen Scahill, one of the five, said: “If I had to go to college I would be nervous working with new people, but I find working with my colleagues they are classmates and you settle a lot easier.” Numerous other Tesco staff have now followed their example and signed-up.

The post Tesco Old Swan appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

When mother of three, Nathaly, researched her career options she decided she wanted to pursue a career as a pharmacist. Having left school with few formal qualifications, she contacted De Montfort University in Leicester to enquire about their Pharmacy degree and was advised to enroll on the Access to Higher Education (Science) Diploma at Leicester College first.

Wanting to prepare for higher level study, Nathaly first completed level 2 Adult Literacy and Numeracy and attended Rutland Adult Learning for further maths learning. Nathaly also read self-study AS-level science books at home and then completed the Access course in 2010. She began her degree in September 2011 and is volunteering as an assistant in adult and primary education classes too, so she can pass on her love of science.

Despite having family responsibilities, a lack of income and managing a visual impairment, Nathaly’s determination means she is on track to her chosen career. She said, “I truly hope that I can inspire people who are in a similar situation to me, to step out of the boat and make the first steps towards a life-changing experience”.

The post Nathaly Bartsch appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

One in four people in England struggle with maths.  That’s why, from now until the end of March, a partnership of national organisations will work together to raise awareness of the importance of maths for all of us and look at how we can improve the nation’s maths skills.

They’ll do this by:

• training up 8,000 Maths Champions to support other adults
• promoting existing apps and resources
• producing a new app for maths by working with learners, tutors and coordinating an online numeracy assessment tool
• developing a series of MOOCs (massive open online courses) on maths related subjects
• improving the quality of teaching and learning
• engaging and enthusing people about the power, enjoyment, and importance of maths

Supported by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the Maths4us initiative is being driven forward by NIACE and a number of key partner organisations across the public and private sector. See a list of partners.

The post About Maths4Us appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

As part of a major new numeracy initiative in 2013 – Action on Adult Maths – NIACE is conducting a search for the top maths apps and app developers to create a database of resources which can help adults improve their maths skills.

Please click here for more information

The post App Challenge to help adults learn maths appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

We’re looking for your help next Monday in shaping the future of numeracy education.

It’s common knowledge that numeracy needs a boost, but how can technology help do this either in the classroom or in day-to-day life?

As part of the Maths4Us initiative, we’re running a challenge to develop three apps for learners, to help improve numeracy in England.  Later in the spring we will be inviting teams to take up the challenge and present their ideas for an app, the winners receiving funding to develop a working prototype.

However, before we get going, we need to understand what the current needs and potential solutions are, and this is where we hope you can help.  On 28^th January, 2013 we’re running a focus group at CAN Mezzanine, London SE1 from 12noon – 3.30pm to help inform the criteria these apps need to achieve.  You don’t need any expertise in apps or technology, we just need you to be someone involved directly or indirectly in the teaching or learning of numeracy.

We’re after practitioners and learners, so, if you have more than one of you who can attend, that would be great!  The event is free, will include lunch and we have some limited funds to support you with travel costs if you think this could be a barrier to you attending.

If you can come please email [email protected] as soon as possible, including any dietary or access requirements, and we’ll send you the details.  If you are going to require support with costs, please let us know too.

The post Help shape the future of numeracy education! appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

Maths and everyday life

Whether it’s shopping, payslips, or everyday financial decisions – numbers play a big part in our lives. You probably know someone , or may even have given some help to someone, who has had difficulty with some of these daily maths activities:

• understanding payslips
• credit and interest rates
• stretching income to cope with pay freezes, rising bills and squeezes on benefits
• in-work benefits and other welfare benefits
• timekeeping
• helping the kids with maths homework
• working out the weekly shopping budget
• paying the bills
• dealing with everyday tasks that need mental maths, from cooking to driving.

What you can do

People do maths everyday and most of us are pretty good at it, but it’s only when we all hit a problem we feel we could do with some more help. Maths Champions help to overcome the ‘fear factor’ often felt about maths. They aren’t teachers – rather these are people who can reassure that maths may not be as difficult as people often think. Maths Champions get some training, some tips and useful stuff to give to people who they know need a little more help.

How unionlearn can help

Unionlearn has lots of games, quizzes, tips and resources to help you promote maths, and we’ll send you regular information about how other Maths Champions are working.

Interested?

Unionlearn can provide you with lots of tools to become a Maths Champion. Sign up, receive news and be eligible for a range of short training courses, on – and offline. Click here and become a Maths Champion!

The post Could you be a Maths Champion? appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

Calling all Maths and Numeracy Teachers and Managers to the Maths Conference of the Year!

In September 2010, we were lucky enough to be awarded funds from LSIS Flexibility and Innovation Fund to carry out one of the largest ever randomised control trials in education, called Adults Don’t Count?. Our participants were Skills for Life Numeracy, Functional Maths and Key Skills Maths teachers across the South East delivering to post-16 learners.

The aim of the project was to find out if we could create positive suggestions with maths learners using ideas from hypnosis and combine these with innovative maths pedagogy in order to improve attainment. We have a very interesting result!

It’s the way you do it AND the way you tell it!

Adults Don’t Count? Conference

17th November 2011
09:15 (registration)- 3.30pm
at the new Amex Community Stadium, Brighton, BN1 9BL

[email protected] phone 01273 704530

Early booking (before 31.10.11) is £75

The conference will include:

• The project findings
• Innovative workshops to give you the practical tools which worked
• The most up to date maths pedagogy for Numeracy and Functional Maths
• Opportunities to explore new resources
• The chance to network with Maths colleagues
• Lunchand all refreshments

We are expecting places to go very quickly, so please complete the attached registration form and email it to [email protected] phone 01273 704530 today to avoid any disappointment!

There is an Early Bird discounted rate of £75 if they book before 31.10.11. The price per participant is then £100.

Important – Fees and Cancellation Policy
Fees are non-refundable unless notice of cancellation is received a minimum of 10 working days before the training takes place (2nd Nov in this instance). On receipt of your registration form and the subsequent issue of our company invoice you agree to pay fees in full within the payment terms which are 30 days from the invoice date. In the event that we have to cancel the event you will not be expected to make payment.

Erin Prior
Centre Coordinator
The Development Centre

Tel – 01273 704 530 / 01273 704 517 (direct number)
Fax – 01273 704 528

[email protected]
www.sfldc.org

Sussex Innovation Centre
Science Park Square
Falmer, Brighton
BN1 9SB
www.cfbt.com
CfBT Education Trust is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 867944. Charity No. 270901. Registered Office: 60 Queens Road, Reading, RG1 4BS, United Kingdom.
Other companies in the CfBT Education Trust Group which are active are:
CfBT Advice and Guidance Ltd is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 330728. Charity Number 270901-1. Registered Office: 60 Queens Road, Reading, RG1 4BS, United Kingdom.
Waverley School (Waverley Way) Ltd is a private company limited by shares. Company No. 318157. Registered Office: 60 Queens Road, Reading, RG14BS, United Kingdom.
Monkton House Kings College (Cardiff) Educational Trust is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 894179; Charity No. 525759. Registered office 60 Queens Road, Reading RG1 4BS, United Kingdom.
CfBT Schools Trust is a private company, limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 7468210. Registered office 60 Queens Road, Reading RG1 4BS, United Kingdom.

NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, England and Wales). A company limited by guarantee registered no. 2603322 and registered charity no. 1002775, Registered address: 21 , De Montfort Street, Leicester, LE1 7GE, UK www.niace.org.uk

NIACE (Sefydliad Cenedlaethol Addysg Barhaus i Oedolion, Lloegr a Cymru). Cwmni cyfyngedig drwy warant rhif cofrestredig 2603322 ac elusen rhif cofrestredig 1002775, Cyfeiriad cofrestredig: 21 , De Montfort Street, Caerlyr, LE1 7GE, DU www.niacedc.org.uk

NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, England and Wales). A company limited by guarantee registered no. 2603322 and registered charity no. 1002775, Registered address: 21 , De Montfort Street, Leicester, LE1 7GE, UK www.niace.org.uk

NIACE (Sefydliad Cenedlaethol Addysg Barhaus i Oedolion, Lloegr a Cymru). Cwmni cyfyngedig drwy warant rhif cofrestredig 2603322 ac elusen rhif cofrestredig 1002775, Cyfeiriad cofrestredig: 21 , De Montfort Street, Caerlyr, LE1 7GE, DU www.niacedc.org.uk

The post Calling all Maths and Numeracy Teachers and Managers appeared first on Maths 4 Us.

We are now seeking to gather more data on innovative delivery models for numeracy practice in order to produce a free downloadable resource to improve the quality of numeracy learning.  We want to hear views from a range of providers who are achieving good results in numeracy about the success factors that underpin their provision.

We will be holding a free seminar in early 2012 to bring together providers to share their experiences of numeracy teaching and learning.  You can register for this seminar and contribute to our call for evidence by completing this quick questionnaire or email: [email protected]

In addition to this project, NIACE has completed a range of work on numeracy, the details of which can be found at http://www.niace.org.uk/current-work/area/numeracy

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

Linda Dixon, Project Officer
[email protected]
Tel: 0116 2047056
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE

The post UPDATED: Innovative Practice in Numeracy Learning appeared first on Maths 4 Us.