Teaching mathematics in a vocational context
This list contains a number of case studies and generic resources supporting the delivery of mathematics in a vocational setting. Maths Matters at Work is an activity which supports learners to become aware of the mathematics they may use in their vocational setting. Embedding Functional Skills is a case study exploring the effective embedding of functional skills in STEM learning. Setting up Your Own Business is an activity which helps learners begin to consider some issues involved in setting up their own business.
Mathematics in Applied and Vocational Learning
This case study looks at a programme to set up a collaboration with local schools, Nottingham University and local businesses to enhance the professional development of staff and offer new learning experiences for students studying mathematics. The aim was to use partnership-building to support numeracy through work-related learning, and improve young people’s confidence and progression in STEM related subjects.
Vocational context for maths
This case study looks at the themes of mathematics and progression through STEM. It describes the development of the mathematics provision at Abingdon and Witney College.
The aim was to make maths more relevant to students, particularly those undertaking GCSE maths. These students work in classes of up to 20 and are from a range of mainly vocational backgrounds. They are retaking GCSE mathematics as they are likely to need it in their future career and have previously not achieved a grade C.
By working with subject tutors and finding relevant resources, the mathematics study became more relevant to the students and thus increased their motivation.
Maths in an Industrial Context
This case study looks at the themes of employer engagement and mathematics. The project, by Rotherham College of Arts and Technology, aimed to generate an understanding of the industrial application of mathematics in learners, staff and employers.
It is increasingly important that learners see the relevance of their studies to industries and commerce. Rotherham College investigated better ways of engaging employers in the preparation of mathematics learning materials to ensure there is a direct link to real industrial contexts.
Maths Matters at Work
This activity supports learners to become aware of some of the mathematics they might use in their vocational specialism, reflect on their confidence level about these areas of mathematics and to make plans for developing their mathematical skills. Students fill in a Maths Matters at Work template to show activities on display and the maths needed to complete these tasks.
Embedding functional skills
These case studies describe work done by practitioners to explore the effective embedding of functional skills in STEM teaching and learning.
As well as focusing on functional mathematics, these projects explore a range of issues relevant to the FE and skills sector, including:
• Enhancing learners’ skills for future employment
• Implementing equality and diversity
• CPD and peer-support
• Assessment for Learning.
Setting up Your Own Business
This activity helps learners begin to consider some issues involved in setting up their own business by making an initial, outline, mathematical model of the costs involved in setting up a business.
Learners are required to work in small groups to create a poster showing the factors they would take into account, and to produce a table showing the outline costs of setting up the business and running it for the first year. Learners who are familiar with spreadsheets could produce this table using a simple spreadsheet.