numeracy across the curriculum: a not-so-impossible dream? merrilyn goos the university of...

Numeracy across the curriculum:A not-so-impossible dream?

Merrilyn GoosThe University of Queensland

1. What is numeracy?2. A research program for developing numeracy

across the curriculum3. An audit of numeracy resources for teachers4. What does numeracy look like in a real

classroom?

What is numeracy?

Some lay views of numeracy:• numbers (“doing sums”, arithmetic)• the basic maths people need in order to

survive in the real world• the name for primary school maths• the name for the vegie maths subject in

secondary school

Numeracy in the Australian Curriculum

Numeracy is one of 7 General Capabilities to be developed and used by students across all learning areas, in co-curricular programs, and in their lives outside school.

Numeracy involves students in recognising and understanding the role of mathematics in the world and having the dispositions and capacities to use mathematical knowledge and skills purposefully.(ACARA, General Capabilities in the Australian Curriculum, p. 25)

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Dispositions

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Dispositions

Problem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Dispositions

Problem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Dispositions

Problem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

Representational

Physical

Digital

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Dispositions

Problem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

Representational

Physical

Digital

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Dispositions

Problem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

Representational

Physical

Digital

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Personal and Social

Dispositions

WorkProblem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

Representational

Physical

Digital

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Personal and Social

CitizenshipDispositions

WorkProblem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

Representational

Physical

Digital

21st century numeracy

Contexts

Tools

Mathematical Knowledge

Personal and Social

CitizenshipDispositions

WorkProblem Solving

Estimation

Concepts

Skills

Confidence

Flexibility

Initiative

Risk

Representational

Physical

Digital

Critical Orientation

Numeracy at home

Q. I am planning to make a small Christmas cake in a six-inch tin (15 cm) and would like to know how to calculate the quantities of ingredients needed.

A. Just break down the recipe accordingly; for example, if your cake recipe is for a 12-inch tin (30cm), then halve the recipe.

30 cm

15 cm

Research program (2007-2014)Research Outcomes

Research Projects

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7

Curriculum audit methodology * *Principles for task design and curriculum planning * * * * * *Professional development approach * * * *Method for monitoring teacher learning trajectories * *Whole school approaches to numeracy leadership * *Development of resources for teachers *#1: South Australian Education Department (10 schools)#2: Brisbane Catholic Education (12 schools)#3: Brisbane Catholic Education (8 schools)#4: South Australian Education Department (numeracy coaching)#5: Australian Research Council grant (4 schools in Queensland, 4 schools in Victoria)#6: Queensland College of Teachers (develop resources for teaching numeracy across the curriculum to align with professional standards framework)#7 ARC Discovery Early Career Research Award

Audit of numeracy resources(Qld College of Teachers)

1. Illustrations of Practice accompanying Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

o 2/325 Illustrations were related to numeracy2. Scootle digital resources mapped to Australian Curriculumo Search on “numeracy” returned 235 resources: all but 17

were about mathematics3. Teacher professional journals (n=17) across a range of

subjectso 15 articles on numeracy; 11 published in mathematics

teaching journals

What does numeracy look like in a real classroom?

• Year 9 Design and Technology

Numeracy across the curriculum:A not-so-impossible dream?

Merrilyn GoosThe University of Queensland