ALM
is an international research forum bringing together researchers and practitioners in adult mathematics/numeracy teaching and learning in order to promote the learning of mathematics by adults
ALM Officers 1997/8
Chair:
Prof. John O'Donoghue
Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Limerick
Limerick
Ireland.
Fax: +353 61 334927
e-mail: John.ODonoghue@ul.ie
Secretary: Diana Coben
Treasurer: Sylvia Johnson
Membership Sec: Sue Elliott
This is the fourth/fifth issue of the ALM Newsletter - an essential read for ALM members and a way of making contact and keeping in touch with developments.
ALM ANNUAL CONFERENCES
The ALM annual conference is a major activity of the association. It is an opportunity for members to share ideas, information and research findings about adults learning mathematics. The quality of members' insights, research and practices as reflected in conference proceedings is making an impact internationally in the field of adults learning mathematics and is helping to shape the research agenda in this important emerging field. ALM conferences are open to all interested parties, members and non-members alike, who are invited to submit proposals for presentations.
ALM-5
The Fifth ALM Conference
1-2-3 July 1998
Utrecht
Netherlands
This year the ALM Conference has a theme - Maths as part of Life-long Learning. Mathematics is an important part of everyday life. In practice mathematics for life and living often differs from school maths. The main question for this conference will be: what kind of maths should we teach in order to enable adults to manage their own life and to function optimally in work and social life? Conference participants are encouraged to lead sessions on topics related to this issue and to take part in discussions.
FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS
If you would like (a) to lead a session describing your research project(which may be at any stage from initial idea to completion), or, (b) to lead a discussion about a 'burning issue' in relation to adults learning mathematics, or, (c) to submit an idea for a poster session, please give details (200 word summary) to arrive by 2 Feb. 1998 to Mieke van Groenestijn, local organiser at the address below. Interesting late proposals will be considered and included as programme permits. Conference proceedings will be published and will include a final written version of presentations which must be submitted soon after the conference.
Keynote addresses
will be delivered by Analucia Schliemann (Everyday Mathematics and Adult Mathematics Education) and Iddo Gal (Empowerment and Numeracy Development; Research Challenges). Abstracts for these addresses are posted at the conference website which gives up-to-date information on the conference . All are welcome to the conference. There are reductions for individual ALM members. For more information, please contact the conference website or:
Mieke van Groenestijn (Local organizer)
Hogeschool van Utrecht
Institute of Higher Education
Faculty of Education
P.Box 14007
3508 SB Utrecht
Netherlands
Phone: ++31.30.25.47.305
Fax: ++31.30.25.18.186
e-mail: Mieke.v.Groenestijn@feo.hvu.nl
ALM PUBLICATIONS
ALM publishes a newsletter for members, at least one issue a year. Currently the Steering Group is reviewing this aspect of its service to members. To date Conference Proceedings are by far the most important ALM publications. Proceedings are available for all conferences ALM 1, 2, 3. ALM-4 Conference Proceedings are now available and will be sent to all participants at ALM-4free of charge. ALM publications are available from:
Avanti Books
8 Parsons Green
Boulton Road
Stevenage SG1 4QG
U.K.
Tel: +44 1438 350155
Fax: +44 1438 741131
PUBLISHING PROJECTS
There is increasing recognition that ALM conference proceedings constitute a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers in the field of adults learning mathematics. As announced at ALM-4/AGM 1997, Kluwer Publishers have agreed to publish a book:
Perspectives on Adults Learning Maths: Research and Practice
based on these proceedings and edited by ALM members Diana
Coben, GailFitzsimons and John O'Donoghue.
This book is due out in 1999.
BOOKS BY ALM MEMBERS
Members are active in publishing their work. The following books arenow available:
Coben Diana and Elizabeth Atere-Roberts (1996)
Carefree Calculations for Healthcare Students (Basingstoke
: Macmillan)
ISBN 0333 615301
Benn, Roseanne (1997)
Adults Count Too (Leicester, National Organization for
Adult Learning)
ISBN 186201 0072
Fitzsimons, Gail E. (1998)
Adults Returning to Study Mathematics: Papers from Working
Group 18,8th International Conference on Mathematical Education
(ICME8) (Adelaide: Australian Assoc. of Mathematics Teachers)
ISBN 1 875900 195
CONFERENCES and WORKSHOPS
Visual Mathematics Workshop (3 day)
22-24 June 1998, Brown University, Rhode Island, USA
27-29 July 1998, Portland, Oregon, USA.
These workshops for ABE Mathematics Teachers are organized by The Adult Numeracy Network (ANN) in conjunction with the Math Learning Centre in Portland.
Further information can be obtained from:
Mary Jane Schmitt
119 Blue Hills Parkway
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 696-1529
e-mail: Mary_Jane_Schmitt@gse.harvard.edu
Mathematics Education and Society
7-10 September 1998
Nottingham University, Nottingham, U.K.
Sessions include: 'Common Sense or Good Sense? Gramsci and Adults Mathematics Education' by ALM Secretary, Diana Coben of Goldsmiths College, University of London, U.K.
Contact:
Peter Gates and Tony Cotton
MEAS Conference Organisers
Mathematical Education Social Research Group
School of Education
Nottingham University
Nottingham NG7 2TD
U.K.
Fax: +44 (0) 115 979 1506
e-mail: peter.gates@nottingham.ac.uk
Australasian Bridging Maths Network Conference (BMN)
2-4 July 1998
This conference is running parallel to ALM-5 and involves ALM colleagues. There are areas of mutual interest and an effort is being made by the organizers of each conference to set-up an Iternet conferencing link. This is an exciting development with vast potential for mutual enrichment and sharing of ideas. Conference proceedings will be published and are likely to be of interest to ALM members.
Further information can be obtained from:
Dr. Janet Taylor
OPACS
University of Southern Queensland
Toowoomba
Queensland
Australia
e-mail: taylorja@po.usq.edu.au
International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics
3-6 July 1998, Samos, Greece.
This conference will be of interest to ALM members involved in undergraduate mathematics teaching. The objective of the conference is to examine new ways of teaching undergraduate mathematics. Conference themes: Educational Research, Technology Innovative teaching formats, Reform on Specific Courses, Connections with other subjects.
Sponsored by:
Department of Mathematics, University of the Aegean
Capital University
Harvard Summer School
Ohio State University
Stanford University
University of Arizona.
For general information contact:
Jane Baldwin
Dept. of Mathematics & Computer Science
Capital University
Columbus OH43209
USA
e-mail: jbaldwin@capital.edu
<http://icg.fas.harvard.edu/~Samos98>
INFORMATION BYTES
Per von Bahr informs us that Mathpert Mathematical Assistant, a forceful mathematical tutor is downloadable. The web homepage is <http://www.mathpert.com>.
You can contact Per von Bahr at Tel/Fax: +46 8 857676
e-mail: per.von.bahr@mailbox.swiphet.se
Watch out for article by Diana Coben and Noyona Chanda of London Language and Literacy Unit. The article entitled 'Teaching "not less than maths, but more": an overview of recent developments in adult numeracy teacher development in England - with a side-long glance at Australia - will appear in Teacher Development, an international journal of teachers' professional development, Vol. 1, No. 3, 375-92. (Special Issue on the teaching of Literacy and Numeracy). ISSN 1366-4530.
Two reports published in 1997 will have special appeal for ALM members:
Basic Skills Agency (1997)
International Numeracy Survey: a comparison of basic skills of
adults16-60 in seven countries. London: The Basic Skills
Agency.
J. Bynner and S. Parsons (1997)
Does Numeracy Matter? Evidence from the National Child
Development Studyon the Impact of poor numeracy on adult life.
London: The Basic Skills Agency.
ALM members please note that Poppy Pickard is now maintaining the electronic list, LEARNING-MATHS. Sybil Cock, the previous 'owner' of the list, has handed over to Poppy. The Steering Group would like to record its thanks to Sybil for creating and maintaining this important service and Poppy for continuing to maintain it for ALM members. To join the list, send a message:
<join learning-maths> to <mailbase@mailbase.ac.uk>If you are having problems contact: <p.pickard@unl.ac.uk>.
CONFERENCE REPORTS
ALM-4: The Fourth International Conference of Adults
Learning Maths- A Research Forum.
University of Limerick, Ireland, 4-6 July 1997.
This was another very successful annual conference and delegates expressed themselves well pleased with the academic and social milieu that evolved over the weekend.
The University of Limerick was selected as the first venue outside the U.K. for the annual conference. ALM-4 was hosted by the Mathematics and Statistics Department. Around 60 delegates attended including delegates from Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, U.K., USA, and Ireland. The international nature of ALM and its issues are given further concrete expression by the siting of ALM-4 in Ireland.
There were three plenary papers including the keynote address by Dr.Con Power, an eminent Irish educationalist and businessman. Other activities included short papers (9), workshops (3), each with parallel themes, an Internet session and a poster session.
The papers and workshops give a good indication of current issues and research activity in the field of adults learning mathematics. Several strands of activity in the field are represented via the importance of mathematics in and for everyday living; a pragmatic approach to issues which must be resolved under pressures of demanding daily deadlines e.g. provision of materials, interpretation of national guidelines, assessment and tutor training; others reported on planned research; yet others gathered to reflect on and discuss the nature of the new field of adults learning mathematics. It is fitting in the year of Paulo Freire's death that a conference on adults learning should honour the man, his work and his legacy with a paper entitled 'Paulo Freire's Legacy for Adults Learning Mathematics' by Diana Coben.
The Poster Session generated much enthusiasm and discussion and is likely to be established as a permanent feature of ALM conferences.
This annual conference incorporates the Annual General Meeting of the Association. This is a very important aspect of these annual conferences. New officers were duly elected, and directions set for the coming year.
We are pleased to record our thanks to the University of Limerick and all the delegates and especially our speakers for making the conference a success.
John O'Donoghue
Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics
University of Limerick
Editor: The conference Proceedings have been printed and will be mailed to delegates shortly.
UNESCO: 5th International Conference on Adult Learning
Hamburg, 14-18 July 1997.
The conference was held in Hamburg (Germany) from 14-18 July 1997. The theme was Lifelong Learning in a rapidly changing society. The conference benefited from advance work in the previous years by regional committees. These preparations yielded two papers: a draft declaration on adult learning and an agenda for the future of adult learning. These draft papers were discussed at the conference, which resulted in final versions of each paper being produced.
The conference was attended by around 1500 delegates representing 134governments, 428 non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and 223 foundations and institutions. The U.K. has returned to UNESCO as a member state.
Two major proposals for life long learning were made:
1) one hour a day for learning
2) United Nations Week of Adult Learning.
UNESCO promised to work out these ideas.
There was a special commemorative celebration for Paulo Freire and Dame Nita Barrow. The conference welcomed an initiative for a decade of literacy in honour of Paulo Freire.
A brief review of the main points of both papers, the declaration and agenda is given below. The Hamburg Declaration on Adult Learning encompasses the right to education and the right to learn in a rapidly changing society. It emphasises adult education on several fronts, in particular adult literacy, basic education, women's integration and empowerment, culture of peace, and , and education for citizenship and democracy, diversity and equality, health, environmental sustainability, indigenous and nomadic education and culture, transformation of the economy, access to information, the aging population.
The Agenda for the Future of Adult Learning focuses on ten themes. The first article of each theme is given and the number in brackets refers to the accompanying article in the Agenda.
1.(11) Adult learning and democracy: The challenge of
the 21stCentury.
2 (16) Improving conditions and quality of adult learning.
3 (24) Ensuring the universal right to literacy and basic
education.
4 (28) Adult learning, gender equality and egrit,, and
empowerment of women.
5 (30) Adult learning and the changing world of work.
6 (34) Adult learning in relation to environment, health
and population.
7 (39) Adult learning, culture, media and new information
technologies.
8 (43) Adult learning for all: the potential of different
groups.
9 (48) The economics of adult learning.
10 (50) Enhancing international co-operation and
solidarity.
ALM members who are interested in the full text of the Declaration and Agenda will find them posted on the web at:
<http://unesco.uneb.edu/educnews/confintea>
or
<http://www.unesco.org/general/eng/events/confintea/index.html>
Mieke van Groenestijn
Hogeschool van Utrecht
Faculty of Education
PO Box 14007
3508 SB Utrecht
ICMI STUDY
On the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics at University Level
The International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) is the teaching commission of the International Union of Mathematicians (IMU).ICMI is best known for its International Congresses on Mathematical Education. ALM members will recall that Diana Coben, Gail Fitzsimons and John O'Donoghue organized Working Group 18: Adults Returning to Maths at ICME-8 inSeville, 1996. ICMI conducts studies from time to time on matters of international significance in mathematics education. The aim of this study is to pave the way for improvements in teaching and learning mathematics at university level for all students.
The work of the study takes place in two parts (1) an invited conference in Singapore, 8-12 Dec. 1998 (2) publication based on conference work will appear in ICMI Study Series. The main aspects of the study will be presented at ICME-9 in Makuhari, Japan in the year 2000.
Invitations to attend are issued on the basis of submissions from interested parties which are reviewed by the IPC. Submissions must be received by 1May 1998.
Editor: Many ALM members' students will be affected by this study. Should ALM make a submission? Is there a group of members willing to develop a position paper?
Further information can be obtained from:
Derek Holton, Chair
IPC, ICMI Study
Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics
University of Otago
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fax: (+64 -3) 4798427
BOOK REVIEWS
Adults Count Too: Mathematics for Empowerment by Roseanne Benn. Leicester: National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (England and Wales), 1997. ISBN 1 86201 0072, paper, 210 pages.
This is a most welcome book, arguing, as the title indicates, for the inclusion of adults in debates about mathematics education and for mathematics to be seen as a means of empowerment, rather than something remote, abstract and impossibly difficult. Roseanne Benn brings together a wealth of research and commentary to support her argument, which is cogent and timely, coming as it does in the wake of two recent reports painting a sorry picture of adults' mathematics performance in the UK. In one report, UK respondents came bottom of the international league. The other looked at the impact of poor numeracy on adult life and concluded, perhaps unsurprisingly, that people with poor numeracy skills suffered considerable disadvantage. At the same time, the success of ALM, an international forum in which adult mathematics education practitioners and researchers come together to share ideas and research findings, testifies to growing interest in this emerging field. So adult's mathematics does count. But what kinds and levels of mathematical skills and understandings do adults use, need and want, and for what purposes? Can mathematics be empowering?
What Benn has done in this book is to provide a guiding thread, drawing together disparate strands of ideas, research and practice in order, as she says in her introduction, to examine "the low level of numeracy in our society, the reasons why this is critical and the forces acting on adults which contribute to this state of affairs". It is a personal, as well as a public statement, born of a love both of adult education and of mathematics. While drawing on a range of thinkers, the perspective is mainly Freire an and feminist, and the book displays some of the strengths as well as weaknesses of that combination. On the plus side, Freire's commitment to education for liberation is non-negotiable: mathematics is not and should not be seen merely as a tool for coping with the world as it is. More negatively, Freire's dualistic, polarising mode of thought, here expressed as 'education for conservation and reproduction', over-simplifies complex arguments about the purposes and effects of adult education which are in many ways particularly acute in adult mathematics education and particularly problematic for feminists. But insofar as it opens up these debates, the book will be of interest to practitioners, researchers and academics in adult education generally and adults' mathematics education in particular, as well as to those with a general interest. The book is organised into four sections: Adult education; The framework within which adults learn mathematics; Understanding adults learning mathematics; implications for practice. This gives a clear framework within which, as the author recommends, the reader can either dip into the book or read it through from start to finish. Either way, it is highly recommended.
Diana Coben
Goldsmiths College
University of London
Editor: The review is edited by the author and reprinted with permission from Education Today and Tomorrow.
ABOUT ALM
Adults Learning Maths - A Research Forum (ALM) was formally establishedat the Inaugural Conference, ALM-1 in July 1994 as an international research forum with the following aim:
to promote the learning of mathematics by adults through an international forum which brings together those engaged and interested in research and developments in the field of adult mathematics* teaching and learning.
*Within ALM we understand the term 'mathematics' to include 'numeracy'.
ALM is a forum for experienced and first-time researchers to come together and share their ideas and their reflections on the process as well as the outcomes of research into the hitherto neglected area of adults learning mathematics. ALM puts people in touch with each other, providing a framework for collaboration and helping to stimulate and develop research plans. We are especially keen to encourage practitioners to undertake research. We publish a Newsletter and Conference Proceedings in conjunction with Goldsmiths College, University of London. The latest edition of the ALM Newsletter may be found on the Internet at:
<http://www.gold.ac.uk/alm/welcome.html>
Since 1994, ALM has gone from strength to strength and now has 140 members in 19 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uganda, U.K., U.S.A., and Zimbabwe.
WHAT DOES ALM OFFER?
ALM membership brings with it opportunities to contribute to an international forum of researchers and practitioners in the field
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN ALM TODAY!
ALM is actively seeking to expand its membership world wide.
Membership is open to all individuals and institutions who
subscribe to its aims.
For details contact:
Sue Elliott (Membership Secretary)
Centre for Mathematics Education
Sheffield Hallam University
25 Broomgrove Road
Sheffield S10 2NA, U.K.
e-mail: S.Elliott@shu.ac.ukor your regional ALM membership agent:
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Janet Taylor, OPACS, University of Southern Queensland,
Toowoomba, Australia.
<taylor@usq.edu.au>
BRAZIL
Eliana Maria Guedes, Dept. of Architecture, Mathematics &
Computing, UNITAU, University of Taubaté, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
<emg@aquarius.com.br>
DENMARK
Tine Wedege, IMFUFA, Roskilde University, Postbox 260, 4000
Roskilde, Denmark.
<tiw@mmf.ruc.dk>
NEW ZEALAND
Barbara Miller-Reilly, Student Learning Centre, The University of
Auckland,Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
<Barbara@math.Auckland.ac.nz>
REP. OF IRELAND
Prof. John O'Donoghue, Dept. of Maths & Statistics,
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
<John.ODonoghue@ul.ie>
THE NETHERLANDS
Mieke van Groenestijn, Hogeschool van Utrecht, P.O. Box 14007,
3508SB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
<Mieke.v.Groenestijn@feo.hvu.nl>
U.K.
Dr. Diana Coben, Goldsmiths College, University of London,
Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW U.K.
<d.coben@gold.ac.uk>
U.S.A.
Dr. Katherine Safford, Saint Peter's College, Kennedy Boulevard,
Jersey City, NJ 07306, U.S.A.
<SAFFORD_K@spcvxa.spc.edu>
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Individual - stg £15
Institution - stg £30
Student/unwaged stg £3
Low waged (minimum)
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter was written and compiled by John O'Donoghue assisted by Wendy Fortescue-Hubbard on behalf of the ALM. The views expressed in individual articles or details of conferences are the contributors' own; they do not necessarily represent the views of the Steering Group or editors and no responsibility for them is taken by the editors or ALM.
Many thanks to our contributors. We would like to encourage members to submit items to the newsletter. These can be sent to:
Prof. John O'Donoghue
Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Limerick
Limerick, Ireland
Tel: +353 61 202481
Fax: +353 61 334927
e-mail: John.ODonoghue@ul.ie
Last updated: 2/3/98, 5.00 pm