learner perceptions of a focus on embedded literacy and numeracy data from the developmental...
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Learner perceptions of a focus on embedded literacy and numeracy
Data from the developmental evaluationpresented by Ann Harlow
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010
Today’s presentation
Learner voices:
Who we are
Literacy and numeracy skills
Teaching strategies we like
What helps us to learn
Our frustrations
Our suggestions
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 2
ITP learners PTE learners
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 3
Literacy skills - ITP students• Word lists
• Skim reading and note taking
• Pulling out key points, planning and writing an essay
• Relating to clients face-to-face and on the telephone
• Using a mnemonic to remember a word, breaking a word into parts to remember them.
• Using mind maps
• Formal language, business letter/memo writing, formatting, report writing, researching
• Using paragraphs
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 4The Ung 3105
Hamilton, New Zealand
0800 WAIKATO
www.waikato.ac.nz
Literacy skills – PTE students• Word lists
• Skim reading and note taking
• Analysing and summarising
• Punctuation, writing a CV on the computer
• Writing in Facebook, using spell check
• Using PowerPoint, Excel ,manipulating & formatting text, Learning computing features and functions, as well as terms and their meanings
• Grammar, improved reading & writing skills in English, learning to understand the NZ accent & pronunciation of Mäori words
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 5
Acknowledging students’ abilities
•Student interviews
•Entry level testing
•Class introductions
•Ongoing assessment on a regular basis
• Icebreaker activities
- useful to reduce stress
- interesting to learn about other cultures
- help us to gain confidence in public speaking
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 6
Literacy teaching strategies recalled by ITP students
•Role plays
- helped us to understand the relevance of learning certain skills
•Games, card games
- fun way to learn new words, terms, and meanings
•Use of technology (Moodle, cellphones)
- made learning seem easy
•Use of diagrams to complement words and written instructions
- easier to learn and remember Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 7
Literacy teaching strategies recalled by PTE students
• Working in groups, helping each other
• Reporting back to tutor/class, course evaluations
• One-to-one assistance from tutor
• Tutor modelling activities, explanation in own words
• Worksheets, glossaries, journal writing, role plays
• Use of ICT, internet websites, audio tapes, visual learning
• Learning in context, visitors coming to class
• Being given time to complete work, no pressure
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 8
Numeracy skills – ITP students• Measuring angles, volume, different amounts (ratios) of colour - hairdressing
• Times tables, measurement of cooking ingredients – employment skills
• Measuring circumference, volume - science and health, automotive engineering
• Body measurements- fashion
• Calculating GST, discounts- business
• Decimals, trigonometry, measuring space - electrical engineering, carpentry
• Fractions, understanding time signatures, different ways to count the beats in a bar - music
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 9
Numeracy skills – PTE students
• Learning that calculations are in the everyday - accounting
• Finding and using the calculator on a cell phone, money handling – how to use the till and a cash register, to give the correct change - retailing
• Estimating a measurement – the thickness of the metal, using a knowledge of angles in the use of equipment - welding
• Learning times tables, long multiplication, brainteasers - employment skills
• Learning how to work out percentages, decimals and fractions - Getting Ahead Kit 2 Challenge Book
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 10
Numeracy teaching strategies recalled by ITP students
• Card games
• Use of everyday containers
• Learning skills in context
• Just-in-time learning on a ‘need to know’ basis
• Repetition
• Applying knowledge in different situations
• Learning alternative ways of doing things
• Use of visual tools
• Other innovative tools
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 11
Numeracy teaching strategies recalled by PTE students
•Use of ICT – cell phones, Internet
• In context learning – cash register, correct change
•Games - brainteasers
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Experiences that reinforced the learning for ITP studentsWork placement – learnt to work independently and show initiative
Classroom visitors – motivated and showed students where their learning was heading
Research assignment – relevant to student needs
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ITP students liked teachers who…
• Balanced talents in the class with group learning
• Were enthusiastic, organised and coherent teachers – using student–centred activities and lessons that built on previous learning
• Taught the theory before practical – helped students to apply theory
• Modelled activities – helped students to see the learning in action
• Told true stories from their own experience – made content easier to learn – a hook into the learning
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 14
What helps us to learn - ITP students
• Glossaries of words with their meanings
• ‘Word of the Day’
• Tutors presenting information step-by step
• Students working together in small groups
• Tutors’ office hours
• Support classes for catching up
• Work posted on Moodle/Blackboard
• Extra weekly tutorials
• Personal study and repetition
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 15
What helps us to learn - PTE students• Use of acronyms to remember vocational jargon
• Personal study
• Tutor explaining something in a different way
• Relaxed attitude of tutors towards timing of completion of tasks
• Being given the freedom of personal decision making, e.g. to use cell phone in class
• Tutor modelling activity
• Use of visual diagrams and pictures
• The removal of disruptive students
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 16
Frustrations experienced by ITP students
• Difficult words and meanings for words
• Complicated processes that needed to be remembered
• Essay writing
• Too much content
• Mature students keeping up with younger students
• Reluctant learners disrupting or slowing down the class and not participating in group work
• The cost of student ‘kit’ expected in some courses
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 17
Frustrations experienced by PTE students
• Writing ‘properly’
• Keeping up with faster students
• Not having Internet access at home
• Vocational jargon / vocabulary
• Grammar
• Understanding the questions being asked
• Disruptive students
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 18
Ideas for improvements – ITP students
• Employ animated, enthusiastic teachers who know their subject well, make it clear to students where their learning is headed and who can make teaching interesting
• Make the work practical and relevant
• Make use of different resources
• Do not ‘dumb down’ coursework to cater for tardy or reluctant students
• Bring in outside experts in the field to inspire students
• Involve students by asking questions, and asking for feedback, but do not take advantage of student help
• Keep equipment well maintained and upgradedLiteracy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 19
Ideas for improvements – PTE students
• Provide templates for writing
• Better computers in class
• Better recreational facilities
“I reckon she’s doing a great job. Not only is she a good teacher, but she makes learning easier and also fun, which is good because it makes our learning environment a good one, and students are always happy…well, that’s when she is.”
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 20
ITP students’ PTE students’aspirations aspirations
Literacy and Numeracy Symposium – 16 July 2010© THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO • TE WHARE WANANGA O WAIKATO 21