Presentation given at RSC London Conference on 28 March 2014

1. Maths4Us
A partnership to boost numeracy
through technology
Susan Easton
Programme Manager Digital Learning
@susaneaston
March, 2014

2. NIACE
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)
is an independent charity which promotes adult learning
across England and Wales.
Through its research, development, publications, events,
outreach and advocacy activity, NIACE works to improve the
quality and breadth of opportunities available for all adults
so they can benefit from learning throughout their lives.

3. Need for maths
• People with better numeracy have on
average:
– Better health
– More chance of employment
– Better Wages

4. Need for maths
• OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) Report 2013
• England and Northern Ireland have some of the highest
proportions of adults scoring at or below Level 1 in
numeracy.
• 24.1% of adults, around 8.5 million people, score at that
level compared to the average of 19.0%’.
• This is seen as one of the key issues facing England and N.
Ireland and one which NIACE has been concerned about
for many years.

5. Maths and technology
• FELTAG and ETAG
• Recommendation:
– By 2015 10% of publically funded FE & Skills learning
should be delivered online
– By 2017 50% of publically funded FE & Skills learning
should be delivered online

6. Maths and technology
• Government will be launching pilots in the autumn to
mandate young jobseekers to training and work-related
activity opportunities.
• Trialling blended and online learning in English and maths
to 18-21 year old JSA claimants below Level 2.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/better-
choices-better-prospects-helping-young-people-succeed

7. Pilots
“From day 1 of signing up for unemployment benefit,
claimants will need to show they have maths and English
qualifications that every job demands. If they don’t, their
adviser will get them on that training immediately. We’re
looking at using the latest online learning technologies. If
you don’t do this training, you won’t get your Jobseekers
Allowance.”

8. 8

9. www.maths4us.org

10. www.maths4us.org

13. Learning Maths Online
• Everyday Finance
• Pay & Wages
• Managing Your Money
• Everyday Maths
• Numbers in Food
• About Time
• Helping Children with Maths
• Helping Adults with Maths
• Learning Maths

15. Access
• Internet-capable mobile devices now outnumber
computers
• Between Aug 10 and Sept 11, just one year, SmartPhone,
the most popular type of device, ownership rose from
24% to 46%.
• Britain leads on mobile device usage in the whole of
Europe!
• Just under half (46%) of internet users in the UK connect
PRIMARILY on their phone.
• BYOD agenda is growing

16. Future internet access
SmartPhone usage Aug 10
Source: OFCOM
SmartPhone usage Sept 11
Source: OFCOM
K
By 2015, 80% of people accessing the internet will be
doing so from mobile devices.
Maths4Us used mobile access to attract and engage
more adults in maths.

17. Search for an app based on tags
Add any of your own
apps that you find

18. Maths App Index

19. Maths App Challenge
The App Challenge drew
together teams of
developers working with
learners and adult learning
tutors to develop apps
which help boost adults’
numeracy skills
Winner decided by public
vote
Funding used to develop
app

20. Maths Everywhere
• Maps to adult maths
curriculum
• Beginner, intermediate,
advanced
• Optional recognition of
learning

25. www.mathseverywhere.org.uk

26. Opportunities
• Open source: http://mathschampions.net/
• Videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/mathseverywhere
• Use: trial and feedback: Flipped classroom, Self directed
learning, peer mentoring
• Geo location: Attract target learners
• Push messaging: Keep in touch
• Offender Learning: ME on the Virtual Campus

27. Actions?

28. Susan Easton
susan.easton@niace.org.uk
@susaneaston