Full Description
Adults use mathematics extensively in work even though they may deny it or dismiss their numerate behaviour as common sense. Their capacity for mathematics is invisible to them and confirms their 'non-maths person' self-perception, which has negative consequences for their life choices. In Adults, Mathematics and Work, the authors tackle and explain a number of paradoxes related to the curious relationship between adults and mathematics. It operationalises the benefits of workplace doctoral research by providing a set of the tools to review this mistaken self-perception in order to make workers' abilities available for development. It also provides a systematic way of uncovering and recognising informal and non-formal learning to support employability and re-employability in an increasingly fluid work-landscape.
Contents
Foreword
Diana Coben
Acknowledgements
List of Figures and Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction: What This Book Is about
Guide to Structure of the Book
Chapter 2: Adults Using Mathematics in the Workplace: It's Not Mathematics, It's Just Common Sense; Part of the Job
Cultural Historical Activity Theory
Competence
Invisible Mathematics in the Workplace
Chapter 3: Identifying and Measuring Mathematics Invisibility in the Workplace: Stripping away the Layers That Hide What a Person Knows about Mathematics
Survey Methodology
Measuring Mathematics Capability
Measuring Mathematics Capability in the Workplace
Numerate Behaviour
Workplace Exploratory Tools
Job-shadowing Case Studies
Impact of Mathematics Invisibility
Chapter 4: Broadening the Scope: Design and Key Findings of the National Survey of People at Work
Characterisation of Workplace Mathematics in the Workplace
Demographics
Frequency of Numerate Behaviour
Quantity and Number
Shape and Space and Pattern and Relationship
Data Handling and Chance
Summary
Chapter 5: Job Shadowing: Four Case Studies of People Engaged in Their Job
Job Shadowing People at Work
Case Study Host Company A
Research Host Company B
Case Study 1 Rob
Case Study 2 Jim
Case Study 3 'Laura'
Case Study 4 'M'
Mathematics Invisibility in the Workplace
Summary
Discussion
A Workplace Contextualisation of Mathematics
Accountability
Clarity
Familiarity
Stressors
Volatility
Workplace Context-Complexity Protocol
Chapter 6: From Research into Practice: How to Bring the Benefit of Research to Learners
Extended NFQ Illustrated
Extended NFQ - Case Study 1
Extended NFQ - Case Study 2
Extended NFQ - Case Study 3
Extended NFQ - Case Study 4
Recruitment Dichotomy
Implications: Learners, Curriculum, Tutors, Policy, Standards & RPL
Research Instruments Modified for Practical Implementation
How This Approach Works
Why Does It Matter?
Appendices
References
