Monday, 4th of July
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- Speaker: Professor Núria Planas, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- Time: 9:15-10:05, Venue: CB1
- Title: The Bilingual Mathematics Classroom with more than “Two” Languages.
- Abstract: Bilingual learners of mathematics with a dominant language other than the language of instruction have often been thought of as disadvantaged by their mathematics teachers and the school community. My research illuminates some of the tensions and opportunities within bilingual mathematics classrooms in order to interpret the mathematical activity of bilingual learners. The Bakhtinian notion of heteroglossia is taken to raise questions and explanations concerning social issues with influence on the development of such activity. From this perspective, people operate under the impact of the many languages at the intersection of contrasting social groups. I will give an account of a number of ways in which the creation of mathematics learning opportunities relates to the explicit recognition of various languages in the interaction.
- Núria Planas ALM 23 Paper
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- Speaker: Professor John O’Donoghue, EPI*STEM The National Centre for STEM Education, University of Limerick.
- Time: 1:10-2:00, Venue: CB1
- Title: Reflections on Adult Mathematics Education: A view from the sidelines.
- Abstract: Reflections by their nature are personal and are largely shaped by one’s experiences, good and bad. My engagement with adult mathematics education has spanned the entire period since the first ALM conference in 1994. That engagement has waxed and waned until it has evolved into what I would describe as a benign ‘at a distance’ involvement. Recognising constraints of personal bias, employment/location, and the use of an essentially mathematics education lens, this contribution looks at the role of ALM since its inception, successes and failures. In the time available this can only be a broad brush approach to what is intended as a positive contribution to ALM and adult mathematics education. The author uses a strategic management tool called SWOT analysis to structure his reflections and analysis.
- John O’Donoghue ALM 23 Paper
Tuesday, 5th of July
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- Speaker: Professor Katherine Safford-Ramus, Saint Peter’s University, New Jersey.
- Time: 9:15-10:05, Venue: CB1
- Title: Research in Adult Mathematics Education: How Far Have We Come, Where Might We Go Next?
- Abstract: Research in adult mathematics education is reported in two principal archives: the theses and dissertations published by Dissertation Abstracts International and the journal and annual proceedings of this organization, Adults Learning Mathematics. A project that has consumed the past several years of my research agenda was a review of that literature base with the goal of determining topics that have been well researched and those that are under-represented. In the course of the work, themes emerged that in turn could be grouped into clusters. While there was considerable overlap, some themes from doctoral work did not appear in the ALM publications.
The findings from the project were recorded in two indices that could be sorted on primary and secondary themes. In this presentation I will share a summary of the areas that have a solid research base and put forth for consideration topics that merit future research consideration. After the conference, the indices will be accessible from the ALM website so that interested parties can benefit from their content.
- Katherine Safford-Ramus ALM 23 Paper
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- Speaker: Inez Bailey, Director of the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).
- Time: 12:55-1:45, Venue: CB1
- Title: Supporting adults improve their numeracy – current challenges in policy and practice.
- Abstract: The first government policy on adult literacy and numeracy in Ireland came in 2000 (DES 2000). Thirteen years later, the Review of the state funded provision of adult numeracy (DES 2013) shed light on the impact of that policy. In the same year, the results of the OECD’s Adult Skills Survey provided Ireland with its first adult numeracy rate. With adult numeracy provision appearing very limited and 1 in 6 people scoring at the lowest level of numeracy, the picture was bleak. Drawing from the Review, the current adult literacy and numeracy strategy (SOLAS 2014) contains the following commitment: ‘prioritise numeracy more strongly and increase the amount of numeracy provision offered as integrated and standalone options’. This presentation will outline the challenges to realise this by 2019.
- Inez Bailey ALM 23 Paper
Wednesday, 6th of July
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- Speaker: Professor Raymond Flood, Gresham College, London.
- Time: 9:20-10:10, Venue: CB1
- Title: Gresham College: Over four centuries of adult education.
- Abstract: Gresham College, in the City of London, was established in 1597 with the founding principle of accessible free education for all. One of the original seven professorships was in Geometry and this is the oldest professorship of mathematics in England. The first Geometry Professor was Henry Briggs, the creator of common logarithms. Robert Hooke, one of the world’s greatest scientists and inventors, was appointed in 1665. The end of the nineteenth century saw the appointment of Karl Pearson, the founder of modern mathematical statistics. More recent appointments have been Christopher Zeeman, Ian Stewart, Roger Penrose, Robin Wilson and John Barrow. They have continued to give free public lectures and these lectures are now accessible worldwide via the Internet. As the current Gresham Professor of Geometry I will describe some of the achievements and challenges involved in giving lectures in mathematics to a general adult audience.
- Raymond Flood ALM 23 Paper