NRR

Numeracy Resource Repository (NRR)

Numeracy Resource Repository (NRR)

  • Vision

    • To create and curate a numeracy resource repository that will help address the numeracy needs of the region.
  • Aim
    • To allow experts to create numeracy resources that cover all basic numeracy topics and make it available for everyone in the region.
    • To have a standardized point of access for numeracy resources for all regional schools, reducing barriers to numeracy.
    • To have a contextual and contemporary repository when teaching numeracy in the region. Our people, our voices, our numbers.
    • To provide a platform to celebrate the numerical tenets in each regional culture through research and consultation.
    • Nurture ideas of STEM in the indigenous Pacific and help navigate numeracy bottlenecks.
  • The numeracy modules are given on an open-access platform, with a Creative Commons license. These resources are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • The videos are short and fun-sized to encourage focus and participation. This also allows for a lot of flexibility when making personalized learning paths.

Note: This project is still in its initial stages and is undergoing continuous development. Feel free to reach out to the designers should you face any difficulties.

Definitions and Scope

Numeracy is divided into 3 major components: 

  1. Context the use and purpose for which an adult takes on a task with mathematical demands 
  2. Content the mathematical knowledge that is necessary for the tasks confronted  
  3. Cognitive and Affective the processes that enable an individual to solve problems, and thereby, link the content and context 

Context is the use or purpose for which an adult takes on a task with mathematical demands. 

  1. Family or Personal is related to one’s role as a parent, head-of-household, or family member. The demands include consumer and personal finance, household management, family and personal health care, and personal interests and hobbies.  
  2. Workplace deals with the ability to perform tasks on the job and to adapt to new employment demands.  
  3. Community includes issues around citizenship, and other issues concerning the society as a whole, such as the environment, crime, or politics.  
  4. Further Learning is connected to the knowledge needed to pursue further education and training, or to understand other academic subjects 

When talking about numeracy and mathematical concepts, it can be extremely helpful if the context is well established. There are different judgments as to which contexts are important, the extent to which context is incorporated, and the pedagogical approaches for teaching in or with context. Nonetheless, the overwhelming consensus across the documents we reviewed is this: context matters. 

1. Number and Operation Sense

  1. Relative size and multiple representations of numbers
  2. Place value, computation, estimation
  3. Meanings of operations
  4. Relationships between numbers

2. Patterns, Functions, and Algebra

  1. Understand patterns, relations, and functions
  2. Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols
  3. Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships
  4. Analyze changes in various contexts

3. Measurement and Shape

  1. Direct measurement, e.g., using a ruler or tape measure with standard units, converting between common units, and estimating length by using some personal reference points
  2. Indirect measurement, e.g., using the proportionality of similar figures, the Pythagorean theorem, or trigonometric ratios
  3. Angles and lines, e.g., using the properties of parallel or perpendicular lines and the relationships between pairs of angles (vertical or complementary)
  4. Attributes of shapes, e.g., categorizing shapes by the number of sides or angles
  5. Perimeter, area, and volume, e.g., understanding the basis for the formulas that provide a method to determine these attributes from simpler measures such as length, width, height, and radius

4. Data, Statistics, and Probability

  1. Collection, organization, and display of data, e.g., the type of data and the story that it is meant to tell determine the type of chart or graph that is most appropriate for its display.
  2. Analysis and interpretation of data; e.g., changes in the data set can affect the mean and median in different ways.
  3. Chance: e.g., in terms of probability, zero represents an impossible event and one represents an event that is certain to occur.

These topics will form the basis for the number of videos we have to make; however, the exact topics will have to be contrasted against two sets of criteria/comparisons – The Ministry of Education CDAU strands and the 5 cognitive components of numeracy ​[1]​.

1. Conceptual understanding

  1. is defined as an integrated and functional grasp of mathematical ideas. Across the frameworks, this idea is referenced through words such as “meaning making,” “relationships,” “model,” and “understanding.” Some of the assessment frameworks mention and attempt to assess the development of conceptual understanding. (See, for example: GED, TIMMS, and NAEP.)
  2. Knowledge that is learned with understanding is more likely to be remembered and available when needed. Yet so often, the rush to use a procedure—sometimes any procedure—is the mistaken goal of the mathematics classroom.

2. Adaptive reasoning

  1. is defined as the capacity to think logically about the relationships among concepts and situations. Adaptive reasoning is the ability to follow a logical path of reasoning that is based on basic ideas and principles that underpin that concept.
  2. “…a problem-solving strategy is legitimized by reason, a procedure is deemed to be appropriate for a situation by adaptive reasoning, a representation of a concept requires reason to recognize its limitations…”

3. Strategic Competence

  1. is the ability to formulate mathematical problems, represent them, and solve them. By “problem solving,” we do not include completion of computation “exercises” (such as multiplying 23 times 13). Problem solving, on the other hand, suggests dealing with a complex situation in which a solution path is not explicit but must be developed to meet the needs of the situation.

4. Procedural fluency

  1. includes using mental mathematics to find certain answers, estimation techniques to find approximate answers, and methods that use technological aids like calculators and computers. The goal is to be comfortable with many methods so that a person can choose an efficient method and (perhaps) use another one to check to see if the answer is reasonable.

5. Productive Disposition

  1. includes the beliefs, attitudes, and emotions that contribute to a person’s ability and willingness to engage, use, and persevere in mathematical thinking and learning, or in activities with numeracy aspects. If a student “hates maths”, it will be difficult to effectively execute any numerical training. The implication is that if a person leaves school without having developed a good disposition towards numeracy, one is unlikely to be able to be numerately effective or effectively numerate.
  1. Numbers and Operations 
  2. Algebra 
  3. Relations, Functions, and Graphs 
  4. Geometry and Trigonometry 
  5. Statistics and Probability 

Level

The videos will be classified into 3 levels, so that it is easier to create a learning pathway on MOODLE. The levels are as follows:  

Level 1 – Beginner  

The video assumes no prior knowledge about the topics, and everyone is expected to be able to follow through when watching the video.  

Level 2 – Intermediate  

The video assumes that knowledge from previous videos and will have slightly more advanced modes of cognitive and affective components.  

Level 3 – Advanced 

The video is the final tie-in regarding the topic and incorporates all aspects of contextualization and problem-solving. The student is not expected to follow through without first having completed level 2.  

Blocks

1.1. Relative size and multiple representations of numbers

1.1.1 Counting and number systems

1.1.2 The number line and types of numbers

1.1.3 Relative sizes, number sense, and infinities

1.1.4 Numbers with different bases

1.2. Place value, computation, estimation

1.2.1 Decimal Notation

1.2.2 Addition and Subtraction

1.3. Meanings of operations

1.3.1 Understanding Numerical Operations

1.3.2 Intuitive explanation of roots and exponentials

1.4. Relationships between numbers

1.4.1 Primes, even, odd, squares, and cubes.

1.4.2 Ratios, Proportions, and Percentages

2.1. Understand patterns, relations, and functions

2.1.1 Patterns

2.1.2 Relationships

2.1.3 Functions

2.2. Represent and analyze mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols

2.2.1 Introduction to Algebra

2.2.2 Algebraic Operations

2.3. Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative relationships

2.3.1 Deriving Algebraic Representations

2.3.2 Solving Algebraic Equations

2.3.3 Factorization and BEDMAS

2.3.4 Rates and linearity in algebra

2.4. Analyze changes in various contexts

2.4.1 Graphs and Functions

2.4.2 Linear vs Non-linear

2.4.3 Intersections and simultaneous equations

3.1.Direct measurement

3.1.1 Units of measurement and measured quantities.

3.1.2 Measurement scales (nano to tera)

3.2. Indirect measurement

3.2.1 Trigonometry

3.2.2 Proportions and scales

3.2.3 Applications of trigonometry

3.3. Angles, circles, and lines

3.3.1 Circles and Pi

3.3.2 Types of Angles

3.3.3 Types of lines

3.4. Attributes of shapes

3.4.1 Identifying Shapes

3.4.2 Properties of Shapes

3.4.3 2D and 3D Shapes

3.5. Perimeter, area, and volume

3.5.1 Perimeter

3.5.2 Area

3.5.3 Volum

4.1. Collection, organization, and display of data

4.1.1 Collecting Data

4.1.2 Organizing and Displaying Data

4.2. Analysis and interpretation of data

4.2.1 Mean, Median, Range, and Deviation

4.2.2 Types of Charts and Graphs

4.2.3 Interpreting Graphs and Charts

4.3. Chance

4.3.1 Introduction to Probability

4.3.2 Types of Distributions

4.3.3 Sample Spaces and Probability Spaces

4.3.4 Interpreting Likelihood

User Manual and NRR Cohort

User Manual

Click “NRR Manual” to follow the instructions.

NRR Cohort

Click to access the tool