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In order to ascertain the real-life situations that teachers, as stakeholders, would find suitable and appropriate to deal with in Mathematical Literacy (a compulsory subject for students who are not doing Mathematics at the Further Education and Training level of the South African education system), we embarked on a study known as the Relevance of School Mathematics Education (ROSME). The principle underpinning this article is that there are times when it is necessary to assess the functionality and quality of questionnaires used to ascertain affective domain issues. The study provides an analysis technique which is not affected by the sample of individuals completing a questionnaire, provided that the instrument meets particular requirements. It thus improves the rigour of measurement. Various statistics obtained in this study showed that the instrument used to determine the real-life situations which teachers prefer for Mathematical Literacy reasonably identifies this variable. However, it is cautioned that much more care needs to be exercised in construction of such instruments. The results also indicated the real-life situations which teachers most and least preferred to be included in Mathematical Literacy, providing useful information for policy-makers and textbook authors on contextual situations to be included in learning materials.

The aim of this study was thus to investigate mathematical literacy in relation to learners' motivations for the contexts they would prefer to deal with in mathematical literacy. The emphasis of the study is to concentrate on learner's written motivations for mathematical contexts. Data were collected using a questionnaire that deals with contexts for mathematics.

This article deals with an intervention unit which focused on the positive effect of integrating poems, stories and fables (the literary genre) for improving mathematical language, fostering the teaching of mathematics language, increasing satisfaction with the process and strengthening the relationship between use of daily language and mathematics language. The study was conducted amongst pre-service mathematics teachers, specialising in literacy activities designed to foster mathematics language.

Lesson plan idea: Using this infographic, the students can create a similar breakdown of costing for our South African scenario. And they can do a comparison of what it cost to study here and overseas. 

"Online social network sites like Facebook and Twitter became common destinations for young people. Throughout the world, young people are logging in, creating elaborate profiles, publicly articulating their relationships with other participants, and writing extensive comments back and forth. South Africa was not left behind and Facebook became increasingly popular amongst people of all ages. Figure 1 below gives a summary of the total number of Facebook users in South Africa from March 2011 to July 2011. Study Figure 2.1 and answer the questions that follow:"

Using technology and creating unique learning environments are two big dreams that all types of teachers have, from elementary educators to distance education teachers to college professors. If you're already used to taking classes from an online college but are curious about creating your own open resources, or if you are studying to be a teacher in today's tech-fueled economy, check out these 50 free courses on teaching with technology.

"although we study mathematics to solve problems, it is not always obvious that we can also use problems to teach mathematics. I illustrated how well-chosen problems can provoke a child to perform mathematical procedures without necessarily knowing the mathematical term associated with the procedure. "

Number booklet coverDuring April 2008 Brombacher and Associates ran a four-day workshop for FET College lecturers on the assessment and remediation of the pre-requisite knowledge and skills assumed to be necessary for students to be able to study Mathematical Literacy. The workshop, presented by Aarnout Brombacher and Marc North,was attended by one lecturer from each of the 50 FET Colleges. The workshop focussed on the use of pre-tests to determine the knowledge and skills that college students have at the start of the programme and on the teaching of the necessary knowledge and skills in those cases where the students do not have these. Click on the "read more" link below to access the pre-test and remediation materials developed for the workshop as well as the powerpoint slide shows that supported the teaching these could be used by college lecturers in their remediation efforts. Downloads: Handout (44 pages): Numbers (download) o Presentation: Order of operations (download) o Presentation: Percentage (download) o Presentation: Ratio (download) o Presentation: Proportion (download) o Presentation: Rate (download) Handout (40 pages): Patterns and Relationships (download) Handout (11 pages): Space, Shape and Orientation (download)

Great resource for Arnot www.brombacher.co.za for mathematical literacy. During April 2008 Brombacher and Associates ran a four-day workshop for FET College lecturers on the assessment and remediation of the pre-requisite knowledge and skills assumed to be necessary for students to be able to study Mathematical Literacy. The workshop was presented by Aarnout Brombacher and Marc North. It focussed on the use of pre-tests to determine the knowledge and skills that college students have at the start of the programme and on the teaching of the necessary knowledge and skills in those cases where the students do not have these.

People as well as animals are born with a sense for numbers. But is this inborn number sense related to mathematical ability? A new study suggests that it is.

This is paper on a study that was done with nurses: "We investigate how expert nurses undertake the calculation of drug dosages on the ward. This calculation is error-critical in nursing practice and maps onto the concepts of ratio and proportion "

In the largest study of its kind, girls measured up to boys in every grade, from second through 11th. The research was released Thursday in the journal Science.

Some past discussions about maths vs maths lit- how far have we moved on from here?

These materials were developed for the GDE Senior Secindary Intervention Support Programme.

The memo is here: http://www.thutong.doe.gov.za/ResourceDownload.aspx?id=44943

Statistics and probability play an important part in our lives and are particularly useful in helping us make wise decisions. This exercise will help the students see that there are mathematical rules that can effect even our use of the English language. GRADES/SUBJECT: Appropriate for Grades 7 though 12. Mathematics and English language. PURPOSE: This exercise re-enforces the value of statistical research and provides an interesting view of the way people write.

My paper on the agonies and successes of creating an informal online community of practice /learning ecology for mathematical literacy teachers in South Africa. It also explains the tools I used and how it impact(ed) on the community.