By Lucy Phillips
8 April 2011
Adult numeracy teaching works best when trainers base mathematical problems on practical everyday situations, inspectors have found.
In a report published today, Ofsted says teaching that is built into practical training is most effective. Provision focused on worksheets and repetitive exercises is the least valuable.
The report, Tackling the challenge of poor numeracy skills – why some teaching and learning adds up while other provision falls short, gives examples of both good and bad practice seen by inspectors during visits to 59 colleges, workplaces, local authority-run community settings, prisons and probation trusts.
The most effective training providers made numeracy compulsory in all post-16 vocational training.
Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: ‘Businesses know the importance of numeracy, and there is no doubt that being numerate and understanding how and when to use maths is crucial to being able to function effectively at work and in everyday life. This report shows what can be done to help young people and adults overcome the barriers to numeracy.’
The report also highlights the fears some young people have of maths from their school days when they first enter the workplace and how these can be overcome.
