Perspectives on Adults Learning Mathematics

by Coben, Diana; O'Donoghue, John; Fitzsimons, Gail E.

• ISBN13: 9780792364153
• ISBN10: 0792364155
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-11-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

At a time when the importance of lifelong education is becoming recognised around the world, this is the first book to explore an important but hitherto neglected area: adult mathematics education. This book is about adults learning mathematics wherever and in whatever circumstances they do so. It brings together researchers in the field and aims to lay the foundations for study and further research and practice in this fast-developing area. It aims to situate research and practice in adults learning mathematics within the wider field of lifelong learning and lifelong education and to be accessible both to the specialist and to the general adult reader. The book features a comprehensive review of the field which sets the scene for sections on: Perspectives on Research on Adults Learning Mathematics; Adults, Mathematics, Culture, and Society; Adults, Mathematics, and Work; and Perspectives in Teaching Adults Mathematics. Topics covered include: mathematics and common sense; statistical literacy and numeracy; new theories on learning mathematics; mathematical competences for the workplace; ethnomathematics; and the training of tutors.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(12)
Diana Coben
Gail E. Fitzsimons
John O'Donoghue
Review of Research on Adults Learning Mathematics	13	(34)
Gail E. Fitzsimons
Gail L. Godden
Section I: Perspectives on Research on Adults Learning Mathematics	47	(54)
Diana Coben
Mathematics or Common Sense? Researching `Invisible' Mathematics through Adults' Mathematics Life Histories	53	(14)
Diana Coben
Researching Adults' Knowledge Through Piagetian Clinical Exploration - the case of domestic work	67	(16)
Juan Carlos Llorente
Understanding their Thinking: the tension between the Cognitive and the Affective	83	(18)
Janet Duffin
Adrian Simpson
Section II: Adults, Mathematics, Culture and Society	101	(64)
John O'Donoghue
Mathematics: Certainty in an Uncertain World?	109	(10)
Roseanne Benn
Ethnomathematics and Political Struggles	119	(16)
Gelsa Knijnik
Statistical Literacy: Conceptual and Instructional issues	135	(16)
Iddo Gal
The roles of feelings and logic and their interaction in the solution of everyday problems	151	(14)
Dhamma Colwell
Section III: Adults, Mathematics and Work	165	(164)
Gail Fitzsimons
Women, Mathematics and Work	171	(20)
Mary Harris
Technology, Competences and Mathematics	191	(18)
Tine Wedege
Mathematics and the Vocational Education and Training System	209	(20)
Gail E. Fitzsimons
Section IV: Perspectives in Teaching Adults Mathematics	229	(6)
John O'Donoghue
Algebra for Adult Students: the Student Voices	235	(22)
Katherine Safford
Exploration and Modelling in a University Mathematics Course: Perceptions of Adult Students	257	(14)
Barbara J. Miller-Reilly
Assessing Numeracy	271	(18)
John O'Donoghue
Adult Mathematics and Everyday Life: Building Bridges and Facilitating Learning `Transfer'	289	(18)
Jeff Evans
Teaching ``not less than maths, but more'': an overview of recent developments in adult numeracy teacher development in England - with a sidelong glance at Australia	307	(22)
Diana Coben
Noyona Chanda
Postscript: Some Thoughts on Paulo Freire's Legacy for Adults Learning Mathematics	329	(14)
Diana Coben
Index	343