NALA is putting on five Numeracy workshops at different locations around the country during Maths Week (October 12 – 20). The workshops will focus on a range of different subject areas, including algebra, materials and technology. There is no cost for attending the events. The workshops will take place in Galway (October 17), Cavan (October 18), Limerick (October 18), Waterford (October 18) and Cork (October 19).

1.  Galway Thursday 17 October: Materials and technology for teaching numeracy – levels 2 and 3 – book here

• Part 1: Teaching multiplication, division, percentages and fractions: how to create and present lessons using PowerPoint. Practical demonstration followed by practice in groups. The Smartboard will also be in use.
• Part 2: What do you want in an App? How to find, research and evaluate Apps and then choose the right ones for your students. Small group work to evaluate different maths apps and then feed back to the main group, with a consensus on what is important being highlighted. Participants will also rate the apps they use.

2.  Limerick Friday 18 October: Teaching methodologies for use in the algebra classroom – levels 3 and 4 – book here

• An effective model for teaching algebra.
• Variables, expressions, equations and inequalities examined in a ‘real world’ context – strategies for teaching these concepts.
• Relating algebra to the students’ interests.
• The benefits of an algebra dictionary.
• Information on useful algebra resources and how to access them.

3. Cavan Friday 18 October: Numeracy as Social Practice – level 3 – book here

• Quick run through the learning outcomes for the three FETAC Level 3 Maths modules.
• Brainstorm – as a large group ask participants to think of how they might incorporate some of these learning outcomes into everyday life – for example plotting the results of the local GAA team onto a bar chart (data handling unit). This exercise will be just to get people thinking about maths aside from merely fulfilling learning outcomes with worksheets.
• Facilitators will then go through ‘one we prepared earlier’ – an example of how a tutor could incorporate a real-life project identified by learners with the Level 3 module.
• Small group work – where participants will work in groups to identify a project that might be relevant to their own practice and examine how they might fulfil the Level 3 outcomes in doing the project.

4. Waterford Friday 18 October: Using technology in the numeracy classroom as a teaching and assessment tool – FETAC levels 1, 2 and 3 – book here

• Numeracy more than numbers, how mathematical data is presented, literacy practices associated with mathematical data presentation.
• Demonstration of three examples of using technology for teaching and assessment.
• Small group work where participants will use the programmes and online tool.

5. Cork Saturday 19 October: Using technology in the numeracy classroom as a teaching and assessment tool – FETAC levels 1, 2 and 3 – book here

• Numeracy more than numbers, how mathematical data is presented, and literacy practices associated with mathematical data presentation.
• Demonstration of three examples of using technology for teaching and assessment.
• Small group work where participants will use the programmes and online tool.