Education Commons^™

Review Of The Piaac Numeracy Assessment Framework: Final Report, Dave Tout, Diana Coben, Vince Geiger, Lynda Ginsburg, Kees Hoogland, Terry Maguire, Sue Thomson, Ross Turner

David (Dave) Tout

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an international assessment of the proficiency of adults (aged 16-65 years) in key information processing skills (reading, numeracy and Problem Solving in Technology-Rich Environments). The PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills has revealed that a considerable number of adults in OECD countries possess only limited literacy and numeracy skills. The OECD is currently reviewing the content of the frameworks and cognitive assessment instruments for the 2nd cycle of PIAAC ready for delivery in 2021-22. This report is the result of a review of the numeracy construct and assessment in PIAAC. …

Buried Or Not? What’S Happened To Numeracy?, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

International surveys reveal a worrying decline in adult numeracy development. Dave Tout makes the case for a renewed focus.

Lessons From International Assessments, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

Dave Tout explores what can be learned from international assessments of adult literacy and numeracy skills.

Some Reflections On Teaching And Learning From Numeracy And Mathematical Literacy Assessments, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Does It All Add Up? What’S The Story With Mathematical Literacy And Numeracy? Where To Next?, Ross Turner, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

Questioning The Standards Of Literacy And Numeracy, David Tout, Juliette Mendelovits

David (Dave) Tout

David Tout and Juliette Mendelovits examine why we receive such differing reports on the literacy and numeracy skills of young Australians.

Australian Core Skills Framework (Acsf), Philippa Mclean, Kate Perkins, David Tout, Kath Brewer, Linda Wyse

David (Dave) Tout

The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) provides a rich, detailed picture of real life performance in the five core skills of: Learning, Reading, Writing, Oral Communication and Numeracy. These skills are essential for individuals to participate effectively in our society. They are inextricably interwoven into all parts of our lives, being directly or indirectly linked to the physical, social and economic wellbeing of individuals, workplace productivity and safety, community interaction and capacity, and ultimately to Australia’s economic and community wellbeing. The ACSF reflects contemporary use of English in Australia. The ACSF has been developed to facilitate a consistent national approach …

Part 1: Lessons Learnt From International Assessments, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

In the first of two related articles, this article attempts to explain what can be learnt from international assessments of adult literacy and numeracy skills, and why there is value and crucial and important lessons for all educators, and others, from the work underpinning these empirically based research endeavours. Whilst some criticism of the surveys is understandable and to be expected, this often blinds readers and the LLN sector from reading between and behind the lines and seeing what value can be generated, gained and learned from such investigations, data and research. The article describes the theoretical frameworks and quality …

An Ant's Eye View : Some Pluses And Minuses, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This article provides a history of adult numeracy teaching, looking back at the rise and development if adult numeracy provision, mainly in Victoria, from the perspective of an ANT (adult numeracy teacher), beginning in the late 1970s. The author then describes what lies on the horizon, what lessons adult educators can learn, and what opportunities might lie ahead for adult numeracy in the next decade or so. The article contains an exposition on the benefits of explicitly recognising and supporting numeracy within the language, literacy and numeracy equation. The author argues that, given the Australian data from ALLS, there is …

Australian Core Skills Framework (Acsf), K Brewer, P Mclean, K Perkins, Dave Tout, L Wyse

David (Dave) Tout

The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) describes levels of performance in the 5 core skills of: Learning; Reading; Writing; Oral Communication; and Numeracy. These skills are essential for people to participate in our society. People need to communicate effectively in many different ways, for diverse purposes, in a variety of contexts and to think critically about information and ideas. It is likely that each new role and responsibility we take on will require new or enhanced core skills. Therefore, we need a range of strategies to adapt to changing circumstances and new challenges, including strategies to help us learn. The …

Alls Survey Update : Initial Messages Regarding Numeracy, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

In the initial analysis and results coming out from the first wave of the 2003 Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ALLS) countries, the data seem to be indicating that numeracy plays a more important role in economic returns for individuals than do prose or document literacy, and seem to confirm that men outperform women in the area of numeracy and mathematics. Some of the outcomes stemming from the results that will be of interest when the Australian results are released late in 2007 include: the overlap between respondents' abilities in literacy and numeracy was lower than expected; early school leavers …

All Is Happening With Numeracy : A New International Survey Of Adults' Numeracy And Mathematics Skill Levels., Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

An international survey of the numeracy abilities of adults was part of the Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALLS) survey conducted in Australia in 2006 and the start of 2007. This paper includes information on the construct behind the numeracy component of the survey, including the complexity scheme that attempts to predict the difficulty of test items, and reports on the initial data from the first wave of countries, highlighting the important role that numeracy plays in both human and social capital terms. First Australian results are due out in late 2007.

Assessment In Australia : A Balancing Act, J Hagston, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

Changing concepts of literacy and numeracy, in addition to increased government interest and investment in literacy and numeracy skill development, pose a number of challenges for all stakeholders in relation to implementing and using assessment and reporting systems. Australia is used as a case study to illustrate how one country has approached curriculum standards and assessment schemes. Based on a description and analysis of the Australian situation and approach, this chapter then considers how adult literacy and numeracy curriculum standards, frameworks, assessment, and reporting systems can balance the competing demands and differing needs and interests of government, providers, practitioners, and …

Having Fun With Maths : Activities And Games For Developing Maths Language And Skills., Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

The games and activities in this book focus on the development of fundamental maths skills through co-operative group work and the use of hands-on materials, as well as on enjoyment and having fun in order to build the learnerʼs confidence and help overcome maths anxiety. The photocopiable activities are designed to encourage students to work together and use and talk about mathematics and its language and share their understandings and knowledge. The activities are suitable for a wide range of mathematics and numeracy students, especially for the middle years, year 11 students studying practical mathematics subjects, and adult English language, …

Car Costs Ii : A Numeracy Workbook., Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Foundation Numeracy In Context, Dave Tout, G Motteram

David (Dave) Tout

Foundation Numeracy in Context describes an approach to teaching mathematics based on applied and contextual learning principles. This means that the teaching and learning of mathematics proceeds from a contextual, task-based and investigative point of view—where the mathematics involved is developed from a modelled situation or practical task. Practical investigations and projects are principle vehicles for student learning in such an approach. This text is written for teachers working with students who have become disengaged from learning mathematics during the middle to latter years of secondary schooling, and will likely have had limited success with mathematics. The approach used will …

All Is Happening, With Numeracy Included, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

The Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALL) Survey (formerly known as the International Life Skills Survey (ILSS)) is a large-scale, comparative survey that goes beyond previous international literacy studies. In addition to the literacy skills measured in the previous International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), ALL is designed to identify and measure a broader range of skills in the adult population in each participating country. The skills to be directly measured are: prose and document literacy; numeracy; problem solving/analytical reasoning. In addition the assessment will be accompanied by a comprehensive Background Questionnaire, which will collect participant information and indirectly measure two other …

The Forthcoming Adult Literacy And Lifeskills (All) Survey, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

The Adult Literacy and Lifeskills (ALL) Survey is a large scale, comparative survey that goes beyond previous international studies. The skills to be measured are prose and document literacy, numeracy, and problem solving/analytical reasoning. Two other skill domains will also be measured: teamwork, and information and communication technology (ICT) literacy.

Making Meaning In Maths : Adult Numeracy Teaching, B Johnston, B Marr, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

In this paper, the authors argue that adult numeracy is a small educational field with little published research and only a small number of teaching materials and professional development and training packages available. Since the late 1980s, Australia has become quite active in the adult numeracy area and now has developed quite a range of adult numeracy curriculum, teaching resources and professional development options for teachers. This paper defines numeracy as more than mathematics and describes the establishment of the course, Adult Numeracy Teaching : Making Meaning in Mathematics (ANT), a professional development course targeted at experienced adult literacy, language …

Numeracy Up Front : Behind The International Life Skills Survey, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper presents some of the results of the Numeracy Working Group in the International Life Skills Survey (ILSS) and the what the author suggests is a wealth of ideas and concepts that can be of interest to the wider educational sector. The author looks at why numeracy was included in the ILSS and the numeracy framework that was established. Complexity factors, assessment items, results so far and issues, problems and benefits showing up in the survey are discussed.

Inclusion Of Numeracy In Adult Basic Education, Dave Tout, Mary Schmitt

David (Dave) Tout

In their chapter on numeracy, the authors begin by exploring the many terms used to describe the learning of mathematics by adults. They discuss the relationship between the terms "mathematics" and "numeracy" and explain why numeracy--making meaning with numbers and mathematical processes--is the term they chose for their overview. Moving on to examine adult numeracy education in the U.S, the authors find that little attention is paid to the development of math skills among adults in Adult Basic Education (ABE) research but that adult numeracy education is prominent in practice. They highlight the development of practitioner groups that share ideas, …

Numeracy Up Front : Behind The International Life Skills Survey, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

Numeracy is part of the International Life Skills Survey (ILSS) planned for the year 2002. This article discusses the work of the Numeracy Working Group of the ILSS and looks at the wealth of ideas and concepts behind these surveys of interest to the wider educational sector.

What Is Numeracy? What Is Mathematics?, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

The questions of what is numeracy and what is its relationship with mathematics are questions that adult educators in Australia have been trying to answer over the last ten or more years. This discussion and presentation will look at some of the developments, issues and debates that have arisen over this period, and present a number of positions and theories about numeracy, and the implications of numeracy teaching.

Numeracy In The Adult Literacy And Life Skills Project., M Manly, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper reports on the development to date of the numeracy conceptual framework for the Adult Literacy and Life Skills (ALL) Project. The inclusion of a numeracy scale in the ALL survey offered a significant opportunity to develop a new conceptual framework for adult numeracy. This paper discusses the meaning of numeracy and the notion of numerate behaviour, represents a framework of five facets, looks at a complexity-rating scheme used to guide construction of the assessment tasks, and finally presents some preliminary findings about adults' ability to solve different percentage tasks.

Numeracy Gets A Guernsey Alongside Literacy, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This article discusses a proposed followup to the International Adult Literacy Survey called the International Life Skills Survey. This will assess performance in four skills domains - prose literacy, document literacy, numeracy and problem solving - and make behavioural reports in teamwork, practical cognition, and information and communication technology. This article looks at the numeracy aspects.

A Numeracy Curriculum, Dave Tout, B Marr

David (Dave) Tout

Outlines the rationale and development of a curriculum for adults based on realistic purposes and uses of mathematics, and discusses its potential for use with secondary students who are not coping with a more formal curriculum.

An Annotated Bibliography Of Workplace Basic Education Resources And Readings: 1996 Update., Dave Tout, M Renshaw, J Kindler

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Numeracy: Essential And A Priority? An Ant's Journey, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper describes the travels of an adult numeracy teacher, through the numeracy terrain of the world of adult basic education and answers the question: is numeracy essential and a priority?

Certificates In General Education For Adults: Certificate I (Foundation), Certificate Ii And Certificate Ii (Further Study)., R Kenrick, J Kindler, B Marr, Dave Tout, L Wignall

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Adult Numeracy Teaching : Making Meaning In Mathematics, Dave Tout, Betty Johnston

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.