Unit Co-ord./Lecturer Brett StephensonOFFICE USE ONLYAssignment received:

Tutor:(if applicable) Suzie Wright

Student ID bjenssen

Student Name Byron Jenssen

Unit Code ESH120

Unit Name Personal and Professional Numearcy

Assignment Title/Number Assignment task 2

Word Count 2385I declare that all material in this assignment is my own work except where there is clear acknowledgement or reference to the work of others and I have complied and agreed to the University statement on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity on the University website at www.utas.edu.au/plagiarism *

Signed Date *By submitting this assignment and cover sheet electronically, in whatever form, you are deemed to have made the declaration set out above.

Assessor’s feedback:

Assessment:

Assessor’s Signature (optional) : Dated:

Faculty of Education

Assignment Cover Sheet

ESH120 Professional and Personal Literacy Assignment 2 Byron Jenssen

The Media Report Used

For this assessment for the unit for professional and personal numeracy, an article titled

“Tassie suburb top for defaults” as published from The Mercury Newspaper, 6th

February 2013. A copy of the article is attached in Appendix A. The reasoning behind

why this article was used for the students is that the students live in the postcode of

7010 and how the media may be portraying these suburbs by selectively using the

statistics.

Critical numeracy that could be explored and developed through use of this article

in a classroom context.

The article was selected to assist in the development of understanding numbers,

percentages, averages and inference.

It is important that students understand the terminology in context it has been written.

This would let the students be inclusive of the definition of words used in the

newspaper article such as “percent” 3.2%, “ratio” 1 in 30 and to research into why it

was reported the postcode of 7010 may have the highest proportion of defaulters in

Australia, when in the same report it was shown that not one Tasmanian suburb was

listed in the “10 worse performing suburbs by value”.

The students will be required to think about the claims in the article and any possible

bias within the article. The students will then be given an article from the Fitch report

as shown in Appendix B. The students then will be able question the methods used by

The Mercury Newspaper as to the reasons behind why it was published in this manner.

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To develop the classroom framework, the teachers and the students will use The Four

Resource Model for Critical Numeracy (taken from

http://www.simerr.educ.utas.edu.au/numeracy/default.html). The four resources are

listed below and are taken from the same website.

By interleaving with other literacies and lenses it helps build capacities for wiser

students (Watson J. 2009 taken from

http://www.simerr.educ.utas.edu.au/numeracy/critical_numeracy/critical_numeracy.htm

).

Using the resource model will assist students to become quantitatively literate, that

means for students to be able to;

Perform basic computational/arithmetic operations.

Demonstrate skills at estimating and approximating results.

Perform basic algebraic and/or logical operations that involve levels of

abstraction.

Demonstrate basic problem solving skills

Show competence in applied analytical skills.

Definition taken from http://www.msmc.la.edu/academics/quantitative-literacy-

program/definition-of-quantitative-literacy.asp

Outline of the plan for implementation in the classroom

The lesson will start with a copy of the media article being given to the students to read

first (Appendix A) and then given a table taken from the Fitch Report (Appendix B)

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with a questionnaire (Appendix C) to assist the development of understanding of critical

numeracy through the four resource model.

The questions in the questionnaire are detailed in Appendix C.

If the Glenorchy suburbs have the highest proportion of home buyers defaulting on their

mortgage, why is Tasmania not listed in the “10 Worst Performing Regions in Australia

by Value”? (inference of data)

How would you draw 3.2% of home buyers using the diagram below (understanding

percentages and the use estimation of shading in the 20% of a square).

Are there any concerns you may have in how the article is written, and does your

viewpoint change after reading the second article contained in Appendix B? (using and

analysing).

The questionnaire is designed to assist the students of what they already know and to

hopefully apply that to this real world scenario. The questionnaire uses a diversity of

mathematics so if a student has a weakness in one area, they may show strength in

another, which promotes inclusiveness within the classroom environment.

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Description of trial participants.

There were 4 participants in the trial group (2 male and 2 female).

Participant 1 is male aged 39, computer technician

Participant 2 is female aged 32, housewife

Participant 3 is male aged 60, denture technician

Participant 4 is female aged 62, housewife/business partner.

An account of what the trial revealed

Part 1. Decoding

Each of the participants had a basic understanding of percentage and ratios; this was

demonstrated through the correct answers each of the participants provided. One of the

participants had to be “coached” on what a ratio was through using an analogy of ratios

in cooking, which then the participant was then able to relate to through using

Vygotsky’s framework (Vygotsky, 1978).

Part 2. Mean making

Each of the participants reside in Glenorchy with two participants owning their own

home and the other two participants are home purchasers. The participants understood

the terms of mortgage, default and arrears as this was discussed to ensure that this

knowledge was not assumed. Each participant read the Mercury Newspaper article and

was surprised that when the value of the mortgages were taken into account as shown in

Appendix B, that Glenorchy or even Tasmania was not mentioned.

Part 3. Using

It was discussed how the Mercury Newspaper may have used the statistics in the Fitch

Report to make an article to relate to the local populace and fits in with the stereotype

portrayed to northern suburb residents. It was also discussed how this information was

reported in other newspaper websites and the type of headings used. Participants were

surprised upon discovering that Queensland was the overall worst performing state (as

shown in Appendix B).

Part 4. Analysing

Participants were asked to analyse the information contained in the Mercury Newspaper

article and the contents in the table of Appendix B. Through discussion in the group the

participants were asked “is it fair”, “what is missing”, “where do you look for

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alternatives”, “is it logical and consistent” and “does the information come from a

reputable source”?

Participants felt the population size of Montrose may have led to the results being

somewhat skewed. One participant raised the current issue of job losses as a factor

while another raised the increase in Glenorchy City Council rates as another factor.

Data from the trial – participant 1, male, 39, computer technician

Question 1, the participant understood that the table in Appendix B is not comparing

“apples with apples” and that the table in Appendix B is based on loan values.

Question 2, the participant understood that the .2% of 1% is equal to 20% of a square

and was the only participant to estimate 3.2% with the most accuracy.

Question 3, the participant felt that the Mercury Newspaper article stereotyped

Glenorchy due to it being one of the northern suburbs and the article would have had

less of an impact if the article focussed on Montrose.

Question 4, the participant was unable to find another article with a similar heading that

Tasmania lead the nation in defaults through the use of the Internet.

Question 5, the participant believed to provide a more complete picture, that the table in

Appendix B should have been included in the original Mercury Newspaper article.

Question 6, the participant answered this question correctly.

Question 7, the participant believed that it made it appear that Glenorchy home buyers

cannot afford to pay their mortgage.

Question 8, the participant answered this question correctly.

Question 9, the participant believed the sample size was too small and may have

skewed the statistics.

Data from the trial – participant 2, female, 32 year old, housewife

Question 1, the participant understood that the house pricing in Tasmania is lower and

that the table in Appendix B is done by house value.

Question 2, the participant shaded in 3% correctly, but demonstrated in the class, that

her understanding of the 0.2% was 2% of a square and not 20% of a square.

Question 3, the participant stated the article was incorrect, as it states that Tasmania has

the suburb (Glenorchy area) that is top for loan defaults. The participant stated that

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ESH120 Professional and Personal Literacy Assignment 2 Byron Jenssen

Appendix B table disproves this as Glenorchy, or its surround suburbs does not make

the chart. However as the table in Appendix B is done by value a class discussion

developed about how the media can take elements of a statistics in a report and make it

relevant to the local media. No other newspaper stated online that the teacher could

find stated “Tassie suburb top for defaults” or similar worded titles, which led to a

discussion in Question 4.

Question 4, the participant was able to find a similar headline “Queensland tops default

list” but not Tasmania.

Question 5, the participant stated that there should have been a comparison chart with

other suburbs and they (The Mercury) should have noted house prices in Tasmania are

lower alters the comparison with other areas.

Question 6, the participant answered this question correctly.

Question 7, the participant stated it makes it appear that Glenorchy is a low income /

working class area.

Question 8, the participant understood which numbers in the article was a percentage

and which one was the ratio and got both answers correct.

Question 9, the participant understood that there may be issues with the sample size is

too small, which may have skewed the statistics.

Data from the trial – participant 3, male , 60 year old, dental mechanic

Question 1, participant stated that the reason why Tasmania did not appear on the table

in Appendix B was due to the lower house values and was the only participant to statet

that Tasmania has not suffered from the natural disasters as other states in the time

frame.

Question 2, the participant got this question correct, though did fail to divide up the

fourth square to make up the 20% of the square.

Question 3, the participant stated the article did not explain that Queensland is the worst

state. The participant also stated that the highlighting the postcode of 7010 in the

Mercury Newspaper article was incorrect as the Fitch Report stated Montrose as the

worst suburb in Australia not the rest of the 7010 postcode.

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Question 4, the participant stated the headline is using sensationalism to attract reader

attention to the article however only picks out some of the statistics of the report to

highlight.

Question 5, the participant stated incorrectly that the piece of information left out the

article in the Mercury Newspaper was in fact included in the original article.

Question 6, the participant got this answer incorrect, there was no showing of working

the math out, so it is hard to tell how the answer of 0.09 decrease arose.

Question 7, the participant felt the article highlighted the political issues of the current

Government (Labor/Green) due to job losses, and therefore home buyers are going into

arrears.

Question 8, the participant answered this question correctly.

Question 9, the participant believed there was a possible issue with the sample size,

with the statement of “smaller sample sizes offer many more variables” which on

reflection is a very interesting statement. Smaller sample sizes, can skew the statistics,

however my thoughts are that a greater sample size offers the chance of many more

variables.

Data from the trial – participant 4, female , 62 year old, housewife and business

partner

Question 1, the participant believed that the media “organised” a story to make the 7010

postcode area look bad. The participant believed that not all the information had been

presented which showed that Queensland and New South Wales had performed much

worse.

Question 2, the participant answered this question incorrectly. I believe the participant

may have misread the decimal point as 32%.

Question 3, the participant believed that the first article did not show the complete

picture and that it made Glenorchy residents were not paying their bills on time.

Question 4, the participant has never used the Internet or a computer before so this

question was not answered. It was identified this was a learning gap that could be

addressed with an ICT50 hour course, or a course from Adult Education.

Question 5, the participant stated that the article in the Mercury Newspaper could have

included the table in Appendix B.

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ESH120 Professional and Personal Literacy Assignment 2 Byron Jenssen

Question 6, the participant answered this question correctly.

Question 7, the participant believed that the article in the Mercury Newspaper made it

appear that Glenorchy residents “look like a bunch of no-hopers”.

Question 8, the participant answered this question correctly.

Question 9, the participant identified that Montrose was a very small area, however

stated that “all areas used should be of uniform size so more correct data is obtained”.

This participant may have meant that each suburb could have an identical sample size

of the same number of home buyers in each area of Australia. Sample sizes can play an

important role in the way statistics are presented (Blastland, Michael; and Dilnot, 2007)

Reflection

Having an example for this assessment task ensured I did not make the same error of

handing the questionnaire to the students. However I did not give definitions of

percentages or ratios but used a cooperative one on one approach of inclusiveness.

One of the participants had a fear of using a computer, having never used one before. It

was acceptable for the purposes of this lesson that the skill gap was identified but not

focussed on, with an avenue for future learning through one of the courses that is

offered through Adult Education, the participant was relieved with the approach I took.

The questionnaire in hindsight should have been written more objectively and clearly to

identify the purposes of some of the questions, in particular the open questions.

It was interesting to note the discussion between the teacher and the participants at the

conclusion of the lesson which focussed on how the media can be selective of

information it publishes to establish a link with the local readership and sensationalises

headlines to draw readers in to take an interest in an article. It also made the

participant’s more open to researching information published in newspapers to get other

media views on the same news story, report, incident, etc. I believe the participants

through sharing their views on the topic gained more through the group discussion than

the questionnaire.

I have found the ESH120 unit very beneficial to my teaching and it is interesting on

how you can link in different elements of literacy and numeracy with an everyday news

article and analyse what is actually being reported through the use of ICT skills as well.

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Through this diversity of elements, it can make numeracy more meaningful for students

and for them to be wary of just accepting of what is reported in the media. This will

lead to critical thinking of numeracy for students.

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References

Blastland, Michael; and Dilnot, (2007) The Tiger That Isn't: Seeing Through a World of

Numbers, Profile Books

Tassie Suburb Top For Defaults. (2013, Feburary 6th). The Mercury retrieved from

www.themercury.com.au

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological

processes. (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds.). Cambridge,

Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

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Appendix A

Tassie suburb top for defaults

   MICHELLE PAINE   |   February 06, 2013 12.09pm

The 7010 postcode, which includes Glenorchy, Montrose and Rosetta, has been revealed

to have the highest percentage of home-buyers defaulting on their mortgage.

GLENORCHY suburbs have the country's highest proportion of home-buyers who

have defaulted on their mortgages.

Almost one in 30 homes in the postcode area of 7010 -- Glenorchy, Dowsing Point,

Goodwood, Montrose and Rosetta -- was in arrears of at least 30 days.

The rate of 3.2 per cent of borrowers was the highest in Australia.

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But Tasmania overall is performing in line with the Australian average and has

improved in recent years.

The Fitch Ratings Mortgage Delinquency report showed that the number of Australian

households in arrears decreased at the end of September 2012.

Tasmania's overall rate of mortgage delinquency -- defaulting on payments -- was 1.2

per cent, the same as the national figure.

When the value of mortgages was taken into account, the 7010 area was second worst,

far behind the coastal NSW area of Nelson Bay.

"Delinquencies across all six states have decreased significantly since March 2010 and

were in line with end of September 2010," the report said.

Queensland replaced New South Wales as the worst performing state.

Fitch attributed the overall drop to last year's interest rate cuts.

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Appendix B

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Appendix C

Questionnaire on media article

Question 1. If the Glenorchy suburbs have the highest proportion of home buyers

defaulting on their mortgage, why is Tasmania not listed in the “10 Worst Performing

Regions in Australia by Value” as shown in Appendix B?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 2. Shade in 3.2% of home buyers who have defaulted and are in arrears by 30

days or more using the diagram below (with each square representing a house).

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Question 3. Are there any concerns you may have in how the article is written, and

does your viewpoint change after reading the second article contained in Appendix B?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 4. Using Internet research skills can you find any other newspaper that uses

the same article headline or similar? If not, why do you think this might be?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 5. Do you believe there is any information left out of the article that may

provide a more complete picture?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 6. What was the decrease or increase between March 2012 and September

2012 percentage figure for Gold Coast West?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 7. How do you interpret or first thoughts about the socio-economic

demographic of Glenorchy City and its surrounding suburbs by reading The Mercury

article?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 8. In The Mercury article there is a ratio and a percentage of mortgage

defaults in Glenorchy City suburbs. Please write these values down below.

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______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Question 9. In other newspapers, it was stated that Montrose, Tasmania had the highest

rate of default of home buyers in Australia. Montrose has a population of 6,467. Do

you think there could be any possible issues with the sample size?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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Appendix D

PDF attachment of participant’s answers.

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