Inclusive Maths Curriculum: Building Confidence for Adult Learners
The Y162 course, part of the Openings programme, is designed for adults lacking confidence in basic mathematics or wishing to return to study. Offered four times a year, the course aims to enhance participants' confidence in using maths in everyday life, understanding mathematical concepts, and developing problem-solving strategies. With diverse materials and individual tutor support, students engage with mathematics from various cultures. This flexible 20-week course includes telephone tutorials and adapts to the individual needs of students, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Inclusive Maths Curriculum: Building Confidence for Adult Learners
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Presentation Transcript
Y162 - Starting with Maths Developing an inclusive curriculum 18th March 2008
Course details • 10 point Level 1 course in Openings programme • Presented four times a year – March, June, September and November, started in June 2006 • Approx 1400 students each year • Audience – adults lacking confidence in basic mathematics or wishing to return to study
Aims of the course By the end of the course we hope students will: • Feel more confident in using maths in their own life; • Understand, be able to apply and communicate a range of mathematical ideas; • Have developed a range of problem-solving strategies to cope with ‘being stuck’; • Have developed skills for learning effectively and independently.
Course materials • Core text • Scientific calculator and booklet • DVD (on study skills – standard part of Openings programme) • Audio tracks to illustrate maths in real world • Course Guide • Assignment Booklet • Exercise booklet
Diversity in Y162 • Content – examples from different cultures. • Student support – individual tuition from a tutor; - flexibility in planning study and some assignment dates. • The student‘s world – learning plan and review; - own experience of maths; - assessment.
Maths from different cultures • Maths everywhere. • The development of the number system: – Africa, Middle East, India, China, South America and….. the West. • Problems, puzzles and patterns from around the world - Sudoku, Pascal’s triangle, tangrams, Goldbach’s conjecture, Queneau’s poems.
Student support • 5 one-to-one telephone tutorials – flexible to meet student’s needs; • Max length of course is 20 weeks with 3 assignments - but students arrange their own timetable and assignment deadlines apart from the final one. • Extra support for students who need it – e.g. prisoners
The student’s world • Learning plan at start of the course - what do you want to get out of the course? - student’s background. • Solving own problems - Informal mathematics –Lesotho case study - Many different ways to solve a problem; - Okay to get stuck. • Communicating mathematical ideas • Learning review at the end – what next?
For further information Please contact:: Hilary Holmes Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Tel: 0121 627 6465 Email: h.j.holmes@open.ac.uk