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Less but Better? Teaching Maths in Further Education and Collateral Growth

Nixon, Lawrence and Cooper, John B. (2020) Less but Better? Teaching Maths in Further Education and Collateral Growth. Education Sciences, 10 (3). e61. ISSN 2227-7102

Item Type: Article

Abstract

The paper presents and explores the experience of maths students studying in a context shaped by a core concept maths curriculum. The three vignettes that illuminate experience are drawn from a larger research project that worked with five teachers and 630 learners aged 16−18 in Further Education classrooms in England. Analysis involved distinguishing different understandings of being good at maths, different views of a good maths curriculum and identifying enablers and barriers to being a ‘successful’ maths student. Dewey’s ideas about focused experience and collateral learning were used to deepen this analysis. The paper reports a surprising finding. In some cases, students recognize the positive impact learning maths had on developing their wider human capabilities. Maths teachers in England, working in the context of ‘new public management’, may find reasons to take heart from the accounts of teaching and learning presented. For the international reader who is grappling with the challenge of reengaging maths students, the accounts of what matters to students could spur a reconsideration of priorities and practice.

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Additional Information: ** From MDPI via Jisc Publications Router ** History: accepted 03-03-2020; pub-electronic 06-03-2020. ** Licence for this article: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Uncontrolled Keywords: maths teaching, curriculum, student experience, wellbeing, further education
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Identifiers

Item ID: 11821
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10030061
ISSN: 2227-7102
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/11821
Official URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/10/3/61

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Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2020 11:56
Last Modified: 30 Sep 2020 11:05

Contributors

Author: Lawrence Nixon
Author: John B. Cooper

University Divisions

Faculty of Education and Society > School of Education

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