Definitional Issues

The ALL (Adult Literacy and Life Skills) survey gives the following "definition".



How might this "definition" link to the diagram above?



How might it link to the theoretical orientations to be discussed in this blog?


The ALL "Definition"

Numerate behaviour involves
managing a situation of solving a problem in a real context
everyday life
work
societal
further learning

by responding
identifying or locating
acting upon
interpreting
communicating about

to information about mathematical ideas
quantity and numbers
dimension and shape
patterns and relationships
data and chance
change

that is represented in a range of ways
objects and pictures
numbers and symbols
formulae
diagrams and maps
graphs
tables
texts

and requires activation of a range of enabling knowledge, behaviours and processes
mathematical knowledge and understanding
mathematical problem solving skills
literacy skills
beliefs and attitudes

A useful summary of definitions can be found on pages 5 to 10 of this document. Look in particular for the identification of formative, mathematical and integrative phases in numeracy development.

In this 2003 research review, Diana Coben reviews some of the key definitions and conceptulizations around adult numeracy. In particular focus on pages 9 through 21.

Five dimensions of numeracy are offered in this paper. They are foundational, psychological, affective, socio-cultural and critical.

This paper gives some historical background to the relationship of numeracy to mathematics.