Susan Easton

Maths4Us Maths4Us A partnership to boost numeracy A partnership to boost numeracy

through technologythrough technology

Susan EastonSusan EastonProgramme Manager Digital LearningProgramme Manager Digital Learning

@susaneaston@susaneaston

March, 2014March, 2014

NIACENIACE

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is an independent charity which promotes adult learning across England and Wales.

Through its research, development, publications, events, outreach and advocacy activity, NIACE works to improve the quality and breadth of opportunities available for all adults so they can benefit from learning throughout their lives.

Need for mathsNeed for maths

• People with better numeracy have on average:– Better health– More chance of employment– Better Wages

Need for mathsNeed for maths

• OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) Report 2013• England and Northern Ireland have some of the highest

proportions of adults scoring at or below Level 1 in numeracy.

• 24.1% of adults, around 8.5 million people, score at that level compared to the average of 19.0%’.

• This is seen as one of the key issues facing England and N. Ireland and one which NIACE has been concerned about for many years.

Maths and technologyMaths and technology

• FELTAG and ETAG• Recommendation:

– By 2015 10% of publically funded FE & Skills learning should be delivered online

– By 2017 50% of publically funded FE & Skills learning should be delivered online

Maths and technologyMaths and technology

• Government will be launching pilots in the autumn to mandate young jobseekers to training and work-related activity opportunities.

• Trialling blended and online learning in English and maths to 18-21 year old JSA claimants below Level 2. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/better-choices-better-prospects-helping-young-people-succeed

PilotsPilots

“From day 1 of signing up for unemployment benefit, claimants will need to show they have maths and English qualifications that every job demands. If they don’t, their adviser will get them on that training immediately. We’re looking at using the latest online learning technologies. If you don’t do this training, you won’t get your Jobseekers Allowance.”

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www.maths4us.org

www.maths4us.org

TechnologyFamily LearningLearning At WorkOffender Learning

Learning Maths Online

• Everyday Finance• Pay & Wages• Managing Your Money

• Everyday Maths• Numbers in Food• About Time

• Helping Children with Maths• Helping Adults with Maths• Learning Maths

AccessAccess

• Internet-capable mobile devices now outnumber computers

• Between Aug 10 and Sept 11, just one year, SmartPhone, the most popular type of device, ownership rose from 24% to 46%.

• Britain leads on mobile device usage in the whole of Europe!

• Just under half (46%) of internet users in the UK connect PRIMARILY on their phone.

• BYOD agenda is growing

Future internet accessFuture internet access

SmartPhone usage Aug 10Source: OFCOM

SmartPhone usage Sept 11Source: OFCOM

K

By 2015, 80% of people accessing the internet will be doing so from mobile devices.

Maths4Us used mobile access to attract and engage more adults in maths.

Search for an app based on tags

Add any of your own apps that you find

Maths App IndexMaths App Index

Maths App ChallengeMaths App Challenge

The App Challenge drew together teams of developers working with learners and adult learning tutors to develop apps which help boost adults’ numeracy skills

Winner decided by public vote

Funding used to develop app

Maths EverywhereMaths Everywhere

• Maps to adult maths curriculum

• Beginner, intermediate, advanced

• Optional recognition of learning

www.mathseverywhere.org.uk

OpportunitiesOpportunities

• Open source: http://mathschampions.net/• Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/mathseverywhere• Use: trial and feedback: Flipped classroom, Self directed

learning, peer mentoring• Geo location: Attract target learners• Push messaging: Keep in touch• Offender Learning: ME on the Virtual Campus

Actions?Actions?

Susan EastonSusan Easton

susan.easton@niace.org.uksusan.easton@niace.org.uk

@susaneaston@susaneaston