Hello Louise,
I am entering the discussion late but wanted to respond to your request
about early childhood mathematics education and numeracy.  The NCTM
recognized the same needed research thread and have included a chapter on
the topic in the newest handbook available through their website:
 
Clements, D. H. & Sarama, J. (2007). Early childhood mathematics learning.
In Frank K. Lester (Ed.), Second Handbook of Research on Mathematics
Teaching and Learning, Vol 1.    
 
In reference to Tom's and David's eloquent perceptions of the adult
mathematics education field--I too experience adult mathematics learning in
the United States as the poor, often disjointed, foster child of mathematics
and mathematics education fields placed under "workplace skills."  Outside
of ANN, little attention or definition is given to the domain as far as a
specialized practice, research field, or theoretical framework.  Thank
goodness for the national push from Australia, NZ, and Europe where
important questions are being asked.   Is adult learning a specialization
within mathematics education?  Or, is mathematics learning a specialization
within adult education?  Gail Fitzsimons (1997) sees adults learning
mathematics as the intersection of four overlapping circles: vocational
education, adult education, mathematics education and industry.  Her
research is discussed in the Kangan Report of Australian Committee on
Technical and Further Education (ACOTAFE).  The resulting model establishes
a separation between technical colleges and adult schools with industry
influencing each institutional type.  In the Nordic countries, Engeltrom
(1987) sees the discipline as a complexity of mathematics within adult and
vocational educations.  The subsets between mathematics, adult and
vocational educations are determined by the interest of the groups
concerned.  The concept of learners being served can include all
participants in the process-teachers, students, employers, and government
officials.  Benn sees adult mathematics learning as a nucleus with radiating
concentric circles representing several disciplines including mathematics,
adult education, mathematics education, sociology and psychology (Benn in
Wedege et al., 1998).  But these conceptions give little consideration to
adults beginning post-secondary educations.      
 
Also remember, the  International Adults Learning Mathematics Conference-15
(ALM-15) is in the USA this year (June 30 -->3, July 2008) at Chestnut Hill
College, Philadelphia.   The large amount of postings to SpecialTopics 663
indicates we know the problem exists.  Now we need to those groups
advocating these issues to policy makers.
 
 
Joanne Kantner
Adult Student Connections
Adult & Continuing Education
Department of Mathematics
Kishwaukee College
21193 Malta Road
Malta, IL 60150
Phone:  (815) 825.2086 Ext. 343
Fax:      (815) 825.2605
Email:  jkantner at kishwaukeecollege.edu
 

  _____  

From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Louise Wiener
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 9:02 PM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 663] Re: International Discussion Ends and
NumeracyDiscussion Begins


Dear David,

I found the Tout and Schmitt chapter particularly invigorating and
challenging and hope Dr. Schmitt might comment on two thoughts for starters.


I was surprised at the frequent reference to K-12 with almost no reference
to pre-K.  I first became familiar with the term numeracy in the context of
Head Start standards. Is there research on numeracy in the early childhood
field - or has the name alone been adopted?

I was struck, too, by the reference to numeracy as the bridge between
mathematics and the real world. I see it  equally as the bridge between
mathematics and literacy because  it captures (builds on?) the language and
concepts of math as contrasted with the pure computation of math.

You will note that at least my spell-check rejects "numeracy" as a valid
word.  Perhaps we should start by lobbying there!

Thank you, Louise 
-- 
Louise W. Wiener, Chairman of the Board
    Learning and Leadership in Families
    2701 12th Street NE
    Washington, DC 20018

    Mobile Phone: 301-213-6516
    Office Phone: 202-243-7783
    Website: www.LLFinc.org
    Email: lwiener at LLFinc.org

    United Way / CFC # 8981


  On 9/15/07 8:10 AM, "David J. Rosen" <djrosen at comcast.net> wrote:



Special Topics Colleagues,

I want to thank our guests for the topic:  What International Literacy
Programs Offer Programs in the U.S. : Brenda Bell, Pamela Civins, Dr. John
Comings, Barbara Garner, Dr. Erik Jacobson, Juliet Merrifield, and Dr.
Ujwala Samant. I know we have only scratched the surfaces of several issues
here in this one short week, but the discussion has been tantalizing.  I
also want to thank Oxfam for making the book Developing Adult Literacy:
Approaches to planning, implementing and delivering literacy initiatives by
Juliet Merrifield Juliet McCaffrey, and Juliet Millican available by
download free for this discussion. It will be available in hard copy on
September 30, 2007.

This marks the end of the international literacy discussion, for now at
least. 

On Monday we will begin a new discussion on The Components of Numeracy with
Mary Jane Schmitt, Myrna Manly and Dr. Lynda Ginsburg, an occasional paper
published by the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and
Literacy.

For more information, and a short list of readings to prepare for the
discussion please go to:

http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/specialtopics/07numeracy.html

or the short Web address:

http://tinyurl.com/yvo6hf

Please e-mail your questions for our numeracy guest experts to
specialtopics at nifl.gov

Your colleagues who may wish to join this discussion can subscribe by going
to:

http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/specialtopics

After they complete a simple registration form (30 seconds) they will
receive an email asking them to confirm that they wish to subscribe. They
should Immediately reply to the email to complete their subscription. After
the discussion ends they can unsubscribe from the same Web address, or stay
on for the next discussion.

David J. Rosen
Special Topics Discussion Moderator
djrosen at comcast.net


 



  _____  

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