INNOVATIONS

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Maths Matters in Higher Education
INNOVATIONS DDIG Conference 13th April 2005
Anne Mitchell Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre
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Does Maths Matter?
Numeracy problems impact more negatively on job
prospects than literacy problems Bynner, J.
Parsons, S. (1997) Do Numeracy Skills Matter?
Basic Skills Agency
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Does Maths Matter?
The connection between numeracy levels and
earnings is more significant than the connection
between literacy levels and earnings The Skills
for Life Survey A national need and impact
survey of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.
DfES, 2003
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Does Maths Matter?

• Higher Education new challenges
• Transition environmental, independence,
  responsibilities, friendships
• Organisational skills previewing, planning,
  time, space, possessions, ideas
• Finances budgets, banking, employment

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Does Maths Matter?

• Maths is the Subject
• diversity
• maths curriculum
• in school
• teaching methods

• Maths in the Subject
• economics
• sociology
• psychology
• business finance
• geography
• archaeology

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Lumpers and Splitters
SpLD
Dyscalculia
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
Attention deficit
Dysphasia
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Co-morbidity
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
ADD
Dyscalculia
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Co-morbidity
Dr Alex Richardson Dyslexia and dyspraxia
co-occur in 50 of cases. Dyslexia and ADD
co-occur in 30-50 of cases. Dyspraxia and ADD
co-occur in 50 of cases
Dyslexia
Dr Angela Fawcett 30 of learners with dyslexia
also have other specific learning difficulties
Dyspraxia
ADD
Dyscalculia
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Definition
Dyslexia Is best described as a combination
of abilities and difficulties which affect the
learning process in one or more of reading,
spelling, writing and sometimes numeracy.
Accompanied weaknesses maybe identified in areas
of speed of processing, short-term memory,
sequencing, auditory and/or visual perception,
spoken language and motor skills. The Dyslexia
Handbook, British Dyslexia Association, 2000
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Dyslexia and Mathematics
Incidence Between 2 and 15 of the population
have dyslexia (Parliamentary Office of Science
and Technology, Postnote No.226, July 2004) 10
of the population have dyslexia (Butterworth,
1999) Of these 60 have significant problems
with arithmetic and mathematics (Joffe, L.
1980) 40 have difficulty with mathematics
(Butterworth, 1999)
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Students may experience difficulties with
Speed of Processing
Working Memory
Sequencing
Language
Auditory/visual perception
Motor Skills
Literacy skills
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Maths Language(s) same as in general use in
general use but different meaning subject
specific visual symbolic
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DfES Definition
Dyscalculia is
a condition which affects the ability to acquire
arithmetical skills. Dyscalculic learners may
have difficulty understanding simple number
concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, and
have problems learning number facts and
procedures. (2001)
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Mahesh Sharma - Definition
Dyscalculia is
A disorder in the ability to do or to learn
mathematics ie. Difficulty in number
conceptualization, understanding number
relationships, and difficulty in learning
algorithms and applying them. (1990) The
dyscalculic individual may have sufficient
intellectual ability and proper motivation, yet,
the individual will show lower than average
mathematical age in relation to normal mental
age. (1990)
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Dyscalculia
Incidence About 7 of children have some form
of learning disability in maths (Geary,
1996) 4-6 of the population have dyscalculia
(Butterworth, 1999)
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Brian Butterworth in 'The Mathematical Brain'.

• Number Module
• numerical start-up kit
• categorises world according to numerosities
• ability to subitize

Hard-wired Located in the left parietal lobe
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Brian Butterworth in 'The Mathematical Brain'.
Subitizing Recognising number of dots without
counting
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Sending Messages For Survival Maths Phobia
Neo-Cortex
Thinking
Limbic System
Stress and Anxiety
Survival
Hormone release
Learning becomes impossible
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Sending Messages For Survival

• REPTILIAN BRAIN
• Ancient part of the brain which activates
  predetermined and learned survival behaviours

Increased heart rate
Increased BP
Blood drained from neo-cortex
Large muscles tense
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Challenges
Research
Identification
Support