Having fun with numeracy and
maths
Dave Tout, ACER
tout@acer.edu.au
Teaching numeracy
 Teach in context – connect to the real world – use real texts
and real situations
 Use a problem solving, investigative, open-ended approach
 Start from where students are at – allow for different levels,
different ways of doing
 Use different strategies and activities – cater for different
learning styles
 Scaffold and model – support the learners
 Make the maths skills explicit
 Use individual, small and whole group activities
 Connect language and maths – crucial
 Build confidence – have fun and success!
Teaching numeracy – fun and
games
Teaching numeracy – fun and
games
Teaching numeracy – fun and
games
Value of words
Teaching numeracy - Real life materials
Teaching numeracy
Co-operative logic problems
Co-operative logic problems:
 encourages maths talk
 encourages sharing of knowledge and
understanding
 enables the teacher to observe the skills
and knowledge of stuents
 supports problem solving skills and
teamwork too
 Fun too!
Teaching numeracy
Statistics and data:
 A good way to introduce a topic
 Integrates literacy and numeracy skills
 Encourages research skills
 Encourages/supports IT skills
 Supports problem solving skills and
teamwork too
Questions?
Some resources and references
 See Handouts for a list of resources.
 Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2007) Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey: Summary results, Australia
(cat. no. 4228.0), Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra
 Bynner, John & Parsons, Samantha (2005) Does numeracy matter more?, National Research and
Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy (NRDC), London
 Bynner, John & Parsons, Samantha (1997) Does numeracy matter? Evidence from the National Child
Development Study on the impact of poor numeracy on adult life, Basic Skills Agency, London
 FitzSimons, G., Mlcek, S., Hull, O. & Wright, C. 2005, Learning numeracy on the job: A case study of
chemical handling and spraying, NCVER, Adelaide.
 Gleeson, Lynne, 2005, Economic returns to education and training for adults with low numeracy skills,
NCVER, Adelaide.
 Hartley, Robyn & Horne, Jackie, (2006) Social and economic benefits of improved adult literacy:
Towards a better understanding, National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Adelaide
 Marr, Beth & Hagston, Jan, (2007) Thinking beyond numbers: Learning numeracy for the future
workplace, NCVER, Adelaide.
 Marr, Beth; Helme. Sue & Tout, Dave, (2003) Rethinking assessment: strategies for holistic adult
numeracy assessment. A resource book for practitioners, policy-makers, researchers and teachers,
Language Australia, Melbourne 2003
 Tout, Dave, (1991) ‘Language and Maths’ in Marr, Beth; Helme. Sue & Tout, Dave, Breaking the Maths
Barrier, Department of Employment, Education and Training, Canberra
 Tout, Dave & Motteram, Gary, (2006) Foundation Numeracy in Context, ACER Press, Camberwell,
Victoria