It All Adds Up for Innovative New Numeracy Teaching Technique
A new and innovative numeracy teaching tool, "A Day in the Life of a Carer" has been launched at Gateshead College. The publication helps all those working in the Care sector to learn the basics of mathematics by using situations that workers are likely to come across in their day-to-day work.
A pilot of the teaching technique was carried out with 50 learners at Level 1, with all of those remaining in employment (48 in total) completing the course within three months. 27 of these have gone on to Level 2, and two have commenced Nurse Training.
Anna McLaren, Projects Coordinator at Skills for Care North East said, "We're very impressed with the success rate of this workbook and course. Errors made with numbers when ordering office supplies for example can be inconvenient; errors made when dealing with the care of people are far more significant. Courses that make numeracy accessible to people are great, and I'm pleased to see this resource has had an effect in raising the skills levels of staff which, of course, ensures safe, high quality care for the people they support."
The course was developed when Gateshead College recognised a need for customised numeracy resources and commissioned L.A.C.C.A.T to write the workbook and pilot a course.
The course is flexible, in order to best suit the learner and can be worked on in a classroom environment, in workshops, one-to-one, or even in a café or the local pub – wherever the learner feels most comfortable. The final assessment is carried out electronically on a laptop, but again at a venue that suits the learner, not necessarily in the high-pressure environment of an exam room.
Chris Oram is a foster carer, and although he knew his numeracy could be improved, it wasn't until this course was developed that he was able to make significant progress. "I never thought I had it in me. I was apprehensive at first, but it was made much easier by the way it was put across to me." he said.
"It covers every aspect of what I do as a foster carer. I've learned about time, money, volume and area, focusing on the things I needed most help with first. It's not only helped with the job I do, but I can also relate more to the child we look after, and help her with maths too."
L.A.C.C.A.T (lifetime access to care consultancy access and training) services, developed the workbook. Lesley Chennells, managing director, formed the company in 2004 and was joined by co-director Norma Chennells.
Norma explains: "There is an impression, a wrong one, that literacy and numeracy is something that workers dislike. It's not that at all, it's just that it's often taught in a way that people find overwhelming, inaccessible, or seemingly irrelevant. What we've done is move the 'lessons' away from just numbers on a page, and give it a context that makes sense to people, showing how numeracy skills are a big part of everyone's daily life and that it doesn't need to be scary – it's just something we all do every day."
"The workbook pulls together a number of assignments that are based on general numeracy standards, but does so in a way that people can relate to such as calculating the correct amount of fluids to administer, working out the correct amount of change required after buying a number of items, or even how long to wait for the next bus according to the timetable. It really seems to work for people, and the great results we've had so far reflect that."
"The 'Day in the Life of a Carer' is sector specific, and as such it's very user friendly and accessible to those working in care. Usually we need to go out and find people to take courses, with this one the people came to us and asked if they could do it – and that says a lot for the quality of the course."
Sarah Turnbull has been diagnosed as dyslexic, and needed extra assistance with her learning. L.A.C.C.A.T used coloured paper for her course materials, and supplied coloured plastic wallets to slip over white paper to make the text more readable for Sarah. Ellen Brown, her manager at Heathdale Care Home in Whitley Bay has been impressed by the changes: "We've worked with L.A.C.C.A.T for some time, and they're brilliant. It's been a real confidence boost for Sarah. She has more self-esteem, there's a spring in her step and she's bugging me for a pay rise! It's a simple concept, but it makes such a difference."
A number of studies have shown that numeracy skills have a significant impact on life chances. Those that are not numerate suffer limited employability options and can struggle with issues such as depression.
Mick Brophy, Assistant Principal Skills and Employer Engagement at Gateshead College said:
"A Day in the Life of a Carer is a brand new resource tool and is the first of its kind in the UK. We have worked very closely with L.A.C.C.A.T Services Ltd to develop the book and we have seen 100% success rates in the pilot. We are committed to integrating essential numeracy skills and other elements of the Skills for Life programme across all of our courses."
