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Improving learning in mathematics: Free resources available
It was more fun and a better way to understand the work. Much better than just listening
Student, Derby College
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is publishing mathematics resources aimed at the learning and skills sector.
Mathematics education faces some serious challenges. The number of learners studying mathematics post-16 is declining and there is a perception that mathematics is too difficult. There is a shortage of mathematics teachers and a curriculum that all too often fails to excite and motivate learners. The DfES Standards Unit has been exploring solutions to some of these challenges.
After extensive research, we have developed approaches to teaching and learning mathematics based on existing successful practice in the sector. There are two related aims.
- To help learners to adopt more active approaches towards learning. We aim to engage learners in discussing and explaining ideas, challenging and teaching one another, creating and solving each other's questions and working collaboratively to share methods and results.
- To develop more 'connected' and 'challenging' teaching methods. Traditional, 'transmission' approaches involve simplifying ideas and methods by explaining them to learners one step at a time. In contrast, our model emphasises the interconnected nature of mathematics, and it is 'challenging' in that it seeks to confront common conceptual difficulties head on.
We have trialled, refined and piloted these approaches with more than 200 teachers and 9000 learners in 40 organisations. Colleges, schools, work-based learning providers and prisons have all taken part.
The pilot teachers, trainers and learners have thoroughly enjoyed using these approaches. For many of the pilot teachers the experience has revitalised their approach to their teaching. Ofsted reports have been very encouraging and managers are already seeing results improving.
The resources include:
- a DVD video Improving learning in mathematics: an overview. This gives an overview of the work on the pilot and an introduction to the approaches. This material is also provided on VHS videotape.
- a short book Improving learning in mathematics: challenges and strategies. This explains the rationale of the approaches, outlines some of the issues, and gives practical advice on ways forward.
- a DVD-ROM Improving learning in mathematics. This offers the opportunity to learn about the approaches by exploring the work of the teachers, trainers and learners involved in the pilot. Users can access ideas for sessions, learning activities, and the supporting software where appropriate These materials are also provided on six CD-ROMs.
- two folders of teaching and learning materials Improving learning in mathematics: resource file for teaching 1 and 2 . These contain 51 ‘sessions’ for use with learners, with learning materials, guidance on how they can be used, photocopiable resources etc. These cover a range of topics in mathematics, from level 1 to level 3. The emphasis is on supporting teachers and trainers in adopting the principles and in developing their own sessions. The resource includes software to help teachers and trainers produce their own versions of these activities to meet the needs of their learners.
- a professional development guide Improving learning in mathematics: a professional development guide. This offers further ideas for using the resource and for sharing the approaches with colleagues.
More information is available in these related articles.