WL LLN Short Listed for UALL Award
Wednesday 25 November 2009Comment on this article Permlink
The WL LLN’s Maths Interventions project has been short listed for the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) Award Scheme 2009-10.
The Scheme recognises and celebrates projects, programmes and practices that promote lifelong learning in the Higher Education Sector.
Maths Interventions
Background
A lack of maths knowledge and understanding is a significant problem for vocational learners, affecting their confidence and ability to progress their education and/or working life.
Collaborative and transferable
The West London Lifelong Learning Network (WL LLN), a HEFCE funded partnership, developed Maths Intervention projects with:
- Brunel University
- College of North West London (CNWL)
- Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
- Kingston University
- Thames Valley University (TVU)
- Uxbridge College
- West Thames College
- University of Westminster.
The WL LLN provided project funding of £48,388 alongside a total of £25,158 match funding from the above partners. The projects ran from July 2007 to November 2009.
Creative
WL LLN Maths Intervention provides maths learning support in an informal setting to demystify maths and increase learners’ confidence and understanding, removing the acceptability of a culture that claims ‘I was never good at maths’. Projects include:
- The creation of the West London Maths Working Group to identify learning needs
- Informal Maths Cafés at Brunel University, Kingston University, Southall College and West Thames College
- 4 week intensive maths tutorials for Kingston University Engineering students at high risk of failing the first year of their Foundation Degree
- Contextualised maths for nurses at West Thames College to aid progression to Level 4
- Slow and Steady maths evenings at Uxbridge College: a new approach to learning and teaching differential calculus
- Special surgeries for Key Skills and Statistics for Psychology students at TVU
- Developing contextualised maths materials for CNWL for the construction and engineering sectors
- Dawn and Twilight Maths with Muffin sessions at CNWL for working adult learners in the construction sector
- Hosting CPD events for maths teachers and dissemination to teaching and learning communities
- Maths Club at University of Westminster
- Maths for Apprenticeship Progression to HE targeting Early Years practitioners, Engineering, Construction, Business Administration and Nursing
- Embedding maths support by creating sustainable peer assisted learning (PALs) opportunities and recognition of maths advocates
- West London Interactive Maths conferences No More Passing the Buck and Avoiding More of the Same at Brunel University.
Sustainable
Anticipated outcomes are improved retention and achievement; sustainability of maths support and informed intervention programmes as well as more use of applied mathematics, creating contextualised maths examples for teaching and learning.
Impact
Amanda Holloran, Access in Nursing student, Level 3, West Thames College, said: “I’m starting my course in September 2009 and needed a confidence boost in maths. I’m not scared anymore.â€
Colin Everest, lead for the WL LLN Maths Working Group and former Head of Science and Curriculum Team Manager at West Thames College commented: “The Maths Café helped to break down students’ negative perceptions of maths by meeting in a relaxed atmosphere and applying everyday problems into a maths and science context.â€
The winner will be announced at the Spring 2010 UALL Annual Conference at Oxford in March 2010.
Kerry Schutz, Sector Manager for STEM and Heathrow Business, will be presenting a poster session at the event.
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