Identifying mathematical skills in the workplace
It is often helpful for learners to understand how particular mathematical skills can support them with their vocational work. Using activities that come directly from a workplace situation gives learners an opportunity to reflect on the importance of these mathematical skills.
In the first two video clips you will see learners using mathematics in the course of building a stage set. In the third clip the learners reflect on the skills they have been using. In the last clip Denise, their teacher, explains an activity she has created with a Mathematics teacher to support the learners developing skills for building sets.
Thinking points
- How do you think discussion helped the learners to work on problems arising within the vocational context?
- Can you think of an activity in your own learners' subject or vocational area that would help raise the same issues?
Use the reflective notebook below to record your thinking.
Download transcript (RTF, 593KB)
Where next?
You might wish to use the reflective notebook to note down some ideas for helping your learners identify and develop mathematical skills that will support them in their subject or vocational area.
A starting point with your learners could be to use the 'Mathematics in the workplace' session, which can be found in the 'Sessions' section of this resource.