Going mobile: Students taking numeracy skills with them

Lecturer:
Keiko Yasukawa

Faculty:
FASS

Project:
Pilot Cross Platform Application for Maths for Numeracy Teachers

Keywords:
Adult numeracy, mobile technology, peer interaction

Dr Keiko Yasukawa is introducing mobile device resources to increase accessibility and interaction in the Adult Literacy and Numeracy course.

What the project is about 

Mobile resources are being developed to improve adult numeracy student-teacher skills and approaches to teaching and learning mathematics.

The interactive materials include video tutelage, numeracy education websites and applications. Made available on mobile devices including smart phones, tablets, laptops, and Canvas, Dr Yasukawa hopes that the subject content's accessibility encourages peer evaluation and discussion.

Why the project is being introduced

Student-teachers need to be able to have the confidence and effective approaches to do the following:

• Continually develop their own understanding of a range of mathematical topics
• Develop strategies to locate and use a range of teaching and learning resources
• Build an engaging and effective learning environment and program for their learners

At a recent language, literacy and numeracy forum it was discovered that:

• Numeracy needed to be focused on in UTS’s literacy and numeracy program
• Teachers needed to engage in the planning and integrated delivery of numeracy in Vocational Education and Training courses
• Teachers needed to be prepared to employ a range of digital media learning strategies

From these insights, Dr Yasukawa wanted to create an engaging, interactive and technological learning aid for numeracy student-teachers to easily access in between their block-mode sessions.

Adult numeracy is imperative on a national scale, and while UTS remains a forerunner in the field for providing higher education qualifications, and contributions in policy and research, competition is starting to emerge. Dr Yasukawa wants to maintain UTS’ stance and reputation in being current, relevant and future-oriented in the field of literacy and numeracy education.

How the project is being implemented

The mobile resources are being developed to provide a targeted and custom-made cross-platform application, and to develop a prototype for digital media enriched learning. The resources take form in:

• Numeracy focused web-based games/applications suitable for smart phones and tablets
• Videos pertinent to the subject area
• An interactive peer communication platform

Exploring further

Black, S. & Yasukawa, K. (2011). Working together: Integrated language, literacy and numeracy support in vocational education and training, Sydney, UTS.
Read...

Australian Government Productivity Commission. A Profile of literacy and numeracy skills in Australia. 
Read...

Delving even deeper

Lyons, J. (2012). Learning with technology: Theoretical foundations underpinning simulations in higher education. La Trobe University.
Read...

Maldonado, R. (2011). The use of multimedia clinical case scenario software in a problem-based learning course: Impact on faculty workload and student learning outcomes. The Journal of Physician Assistant Education. Volume 22, No 3.
Read...