Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning
For many vocational students in England, mathematics is now a compulsory part of their programme, yet the inclusion of an academic subject within a vocational course presents challenges. In this paper, an analysis of a series of case studies of vocational student groups in Further Education colleges...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
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Adults Learning Mathematics
2015
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32082/ |
| _version_ | 1848794331285028864 |
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| author | Dalby, D.M. Noyes, Andrew |
| author_facet | Dalby, D.M. Noyes, Andrew |
| author_sort | Dalby, D.M. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | For many vocational students in England, mathematics is now a compulsory part of their programme, yet the inclusion of an academic subject within a vocational course presents challenges. In this paper, an analysis of a series of case studies of vocational student groups in Further Education colleges in England shows how contrasting practices in ‘functional mathematics’ and vocational classes reinforce perceptions that mathematics is an isolated and irrelevant subject. Some mathematics teachers made contextual connections by embedding mathematical problems in vocationally-related scenarios but distinctive socio-cultural features of vocational learning situations were often absent from mathematics classes. Addressing this disconnection requires a pedagogical approach and classroom culture that links mathematics learning with vocational values. The findings suggest that adopting mathematics classroom practices that reflect the surrounding vocational culture creates greater coherence for students and has positive effects on their engagement with mathematics learning. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:14:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-32082 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:14:29Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | Adults Learning Mathematics |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-320822020-05-04T20:07:46Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32082/ Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning Dalby, D.M. Noyes, Andrew For many vocational students in England, mathematics is now a compulsory part of their programme, yet the inclusion of an academic subject within a vocational course presents challenges. In this paper, an analysis of a series of case studies of vocational student groups in Further Education colleges in England shows how contrasting practices in ‘functional mathematics’ and vocational classes reinforce perceptions that mathematics is an isolated and irrelevant subject. Some mathematics teachers made contextual connections by embedding mathematical problems in vocationally-related scenarios but distinctive socio-cultural features of vocational learning situations were often absent from mathematics classes. Addressing this disconnection requires a pedagogical approach and classroom culture that links mathematics learning with vocational values. The findings suggest that adopting mathematics classroom practices that reflect the surrounding vocational culture creates greater coherence for students and has positive effects on their engagement with mathematics learning. Adults Learning Mathematics 2015-08 Article PeerReviewed Dalby, D.M. and Noyes, Andrew (2015) Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning. Adults Learning Mathematics, 10 (1). pp. 40-49. ISSN 1744-1803 mathematics functional vocational education. http://www.alm-online.net/images/ALM/journals/alm-ij-volume10-1-september2015.pdf |
| spellingShingle | mathematics functional vocational education. Dalby, D.M. Noyes, Andrew Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| title | Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| title_full | Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| title_fullStr | Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| title_short | Connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| title_sort | connecting mathematics teaching with vocational learning |
| topic | mathematics functional vocational education. |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32082/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/32082/ |