Numeracy and Mathematic

Numeracy and Mathematics – Similar but Not Really 



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Both mathematics and numeracy deals with numbers so they are the same right? Not really; Mathematics is a field of study that is taught in schools such as geometry, algebra, trigonometry, percentages, and all other boring stuff whereas numeracy incorporates the mathematical skills to apply it into the real world. 



Numeracy
Mathematics
  •         Uses and applies mathematical ideas to solve problems in everyday or applied contexts
  •         Flexible and relates to the context in which it is being applied
  •         Connected to other areas of mathematical concepts and to everyday contexts.
  •  Mathematical ideas that are used for their own pursuit – calculus, quadratic equations
  •  Mathematics is about overarching principals and concepts
  • Provides foundation for being numerate
  • The mathematical ideas used by engineers and mathematicians could be considered the “numeracy” for those profession

 Working Mathematically in the Early Years (2015) 
Steen (2001) states that “Mathematics by definition and tradition is abstract and Platonic, dealing with universal truths and relations among ideal objects. Quantitative literacy, in contrast, is concrete and contextual, dealing with contingent inferences drawn from specific facts about real objects or events.” In numeracy, numerate individuals will use their mathematical knowledge to work out currency exchange rates, work out which deal is better for discounts, manage finance, plan journeys, work out GST, bills, following cooking/building instructions, kitchen work triangle, etc.  

Numeracy Outside of Schools 

In classroom environments where a child is learning Pythagoras theorem, they may not understand why the formula is used and uses the formula for the sake of completing the textbook. In the real world, builders will use Pythagoras theorem indirectly with the three four five method to build square corners as it has a ninety-degree angle. 
Whilst both mathematics and numeracy are similar and different, they complement each other. For numerate individuals to apply mathematical skills, they first need to know mathematics and be able to measure, estimate, calculate, recognize patterns and relationship as well as understanding why you need to apply certain formulas.
Image result for engineers using pythagoras

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21st Century Skills – What is it and why is numeracy important 
21st century skills are a set of skills needed by students to help them compete in the increasing and demanding marketplace in today’s society. These skills are essential for students to become competent adults and be active members of society. The 21st century skills are broken into 3 categories:
-       Learning skills
o   Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication
-       Literacy skills
o   Information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy
-       Life skills
o   Flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, social
21st Century skills (2018)
Image result for 21st century skills

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How do these skills relate to numeracy? Well you do the maths. In the demanding marketplace mathematics is no longer a requirement only for prospective scientists and engineers; now some degree of mathematical or quantitative literacy is required of anyone entering the modern high-performance workplace or seeking advancement in a career (Mathematical Sciences Education Board, 1995). Numeracy involves critical thinking as students find solutions to problems using a variety of methods and this then leads to creativity, collaboration, and communication as students begin to think outside the box and discuss methods with peers to come to a conclusion. As numerate individuals, students competently interpret facts, figures, statistics, and data as well as knowing how it is achieved and as digital natives, students are constantly using technology in their lives that incorporates mathematical abilities such as using Microsoft Excel. Anything could happen even when things are properly planned out, numerate individuals are flexible in ways that they can deviate from their plans and find new solutions. So, although Mathematics is boring, you are using that skill to become numerate and are completing tasks daily without even being aware of it. 


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References

Reference list Dictionary.com. (2018). What is literacy? Retrieved from             http://www.dictionary.com/browse/literacy?s=t Dictionary.com (2018). What is numeracy? Retrieved from               http://www.dictionary.com/browse/numeracy?s=t Jones-Kavalier, B., & Flannigan, S., (2006). Connecting the Digital Dots: Literacy of the 21 st Century retrieved from             https://er.educause.edu/articles/2006/1/connecting-the-digital-dots-literacy-of-the-21st-century Prensky. M. (2008). The 21st-century digital learner. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner-technology-2008 Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2018a). F-10 Curriculum > General Capabilities > Literacy. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au...
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