Introduction to Literacy and Numeracy

Contents
What is Literacy and Numeracy? .............................................................................................. 2 Literacy and Numeracy strategy ............................................................................................... 2 Student's expectations............................................................................................................... 2 Literacy ........................................................................................................................................ 3 How you read depends on your purpose for reading ................................................................. 3 Reading essential texts ............................................................................................................. 3 Essay Writing ............................................................................................................................ 3 Reports ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Helpful tools............................................................................................................................... 4 Numeracy .................................................................................................................................... 5 Strategies For Overcoming Maths Anxiety ................................................................................ 5 Numeracy- problem solving ....................................................................................................... 5 Websites that can help .............................................................................................................. 6 Further assistance ...................................................................................................................... 7

What is Literacy and Numeracy?

Literacy is being able to read and write. Numeracy is being able to use or understand numerical techniques of mathematics.

Literacy and Numeracy strategy

Wodonga TAFEs Literacy and Numeracy strategy aims to improve literacy and numeracy across the Institute to achieve greater parity of outcomes for all student groups

Student's expectations
I have the right: to learn at my own pace to ask a teacher for help to say I don't understand to feel good about myself regardless of my abilities not to base my self-worth on my literacy or numeracy skills to define success in my own terms

Literacy and Numeracy

Wodonga TAFE 2009

Page | 2
Return to menu

Literacy
To be literate within contemporary society requires students to read, write, talk and listen and think critically in order to understand written, visual and technologically based information

How you read depends on your purpose for reading

To locate specific information, skim over most things quickly until you find what youre looking for. To understand reasons and facts = read slowly and deliberately. To enjoy words and descriptions, as in poetry and some prose = several readings may be necessary to get the feel of the language or to picture a scene. To escape into a novel = skip the dull parts and pick up enough detail to see what happens and how it ends, skimming some parts and dwelling on others.

Reading essential texts

Scan the contents page before you begin reading. It will give you an overview of what the book covers. Check the index at the back for key words. Skim through each relevant chapter by moving quickly through the paragraphs, reading only the key sentences. Read the first and last paragraphs of chapters or articles. These will often provide a concise statement of the authors major points. Read the whole work carefully noting major points in your own words and recording which sections are of particular interest so that you can find them again later.

Essay Writing
Choose the topic Analyse the topic - look at the key content words and direction words Be selective in your reading - decide what you need and begin at least three weeks before it is due Organising and planning the material - create a logical order- this order should be indicated in your introduction Write your first draft

Writing Tips Start writing the section you feel most confident with. There are actually many benefits in writing the introduction last! Be clear about the points you are making Do not use first person, such as, I think , I believe , In my opinion , unless you are permitted or asked to do so. Use simple and clear sentences when you write. Always reference other peoples ideas if you paraphrase or directly quote their work. Avoid slang and informal language. Page | 3
Return to menu

Literacy and Numeracy

Wodonga TAFE 2009

Reports
Reports present information in a manner that is Concise Logical Objective

Writing tips Use the structure headings to write some sections of the report before the research is completed. Explain terms that the reader may not know. Explain symbols, abbreviations, diagrams and statistics if necessary. Decide on the numbering system before you start writing the draft. Be consistent in your use of headings, font type and font size. Be concise. If alternative interpretations can be made use words such as probably, possibly, or usually. Aim to write one draft only, which will be edited to provide the final copy. Keep your audience in mind as you write.

Helpful tools
Spell-check- right clicking on the red lines will offer you some alternate spellings or Spell-check can be found under Tools/ Reviewing on the toolbar Thesaurus/Synonyms- will give you alternative words that mean the same- right click on the word youd like to change and go to Synonyms or look under Tools/ Reviewing on the toolbar The Windows button (see below) + S will read the text on the screen in Microsoft Word aloud to you. Great for editing your work and for people who would rather listen to then read research information.

TheWindowsbutton

Source: http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/policies/literacy/index.htm

Literacy and Numeracy

Wodonga TAFE 2009

Page | 4
Return to menu

Numeracy
Numeracy is about being confident when you use maths skills at work and in everyday situations

Strategies For Overcoming Maths Anxiety

Tackle maths rather than avoid it. Dont become daunted if at first you dont understand it.. Its OK to get the wrong answer. Maths is not a race: take things slowly. Blocked? Calm down and come back to it later. Seek help from someone supportive. Dont always assume youre wrong Learn tables! Learn specific needed skills eg. fractions, percentages

Numeracy- problem solving

Problem solving occurs in all areas of your life and particularly at work It need not be a hit and miss activity It helps if you can develop an approach to solving problems that can be used in most situations

Some steps to problem solvingunderstand the problem decide what maths you will use estimate an answer do the maths check your answer

Source:http://www.dest.gov.au/archive/ty/litnet/numeracy/home/nh_0025.htm

Literacy and Numeracy

Wodonga TAFE 2009

Page | 5
Return to menu

Websites that can help

There are many websites that can help you practise your maths Basic maths MCA online (Learning units) Maths Connexions for Adults is a website for TAFE students seeking help in maths hosted by Victoria University (TAFE Division) http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/mcaonline/units/index.html Vocational Numeracy Online, a website for improving your numeracy for work and training. It is hosted by Department of Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. http://www.dest.gov.au/archive/ty/litnet/numeracy/home/nh_0000.htm AAA Math is an American site is for elementary school students and teachers but is a good refresher for those who arent confident of their skills. It provides interactive math exercises. Not all the exercises are available online but quite a number are accessible. http://www.aaamath.com/ Ask Dr Math is the Math Forum at Drexel University and is useful for students from primary to university level. The site is easy to search and also has a frequently asked questions section. http://mathforum.org/dr.math/ Daisy Maths, is an American site and is for elementary school students and teachers but is a good refresher for those who arent confident of their skills. It provides interactive math exercises. This site is hosted by Swinburne University http://mayflower.ma.swin.edu.au/dmex/ BBC Skillwise, is a British website and is useful for students from primary to university level it has worksheets; quizzes and games relating to a wide variety of maths skills applicable to most vocational courses. This site is hosted by the BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/

Literacy and Numeracy

Wodonga TAFE 2009

Page | 6
Return to menu

Further assistance
The Learner Services Department at Wodonga TAFE can provide free assistance in: Reading course material Computer skills Completing assignments Compiling bibliographies English language skills Mathematics Spelling

All you need to do is contact them on 02 6055 6606 or email ls@wodongatafe.edu.au.

Literacy and Numeracy

Wodonga TAFE 2009

Page | 7
Return to menu