A new angle on Maths Literacy

Have you found yourself struggling with Maths Literacy? Is it harder than you thought it would be or given you some nasty surprises? You aren’t the only one!

Maths Literacy has been misunderstood since its inception back in 2006 when it was implemented as a replacement to Standard Grade Maths. One might say there was lack of ‘change management’ around the transition and thus people formed their own conclusions on the subject based on the assumption that it is the new Standard Grade. WOW did they get it wrong. Maths Literacy is in fact a totally new subject. The Department of Education describes it as follows in their curriculum guide:

“Mathematical Literacy provides learners with an awareness and understanding of the role that mathematics plays in the modern world. Mathematical Literacy is a subject driven by life-related applications of mathematics. It enables learners to develop the ability and confidence to think numerically and spatially in order to interpret and critically analyse everyday situations and to solve problems.”

Click here to read the full Department of Education publication.

It sounds great on paper and in fact IS a great subject, but then why are so many students disillusioned by it? How often have you heard the phrase “It’s just Maths Lit?” I think because of the fact that it is relatively new, only 9 years in the system, many teachers are not sure of how to teach it and many students treat it as ‘the subject you take if you can’t do Core Maths’. These factors really undermine it as a subject.

The Merits of Maths Literacy

Although it is always encouraged to take Core Maths, due to opening a few more doors on the career and tertiary education front, Maths Literacy has its own merits. It is often referred to as “practical maths” because it really does cover relevant topics which will come in handy in everyday life. From how to work out your income tax, to navigating your way around a map, to understanding the results of a survey, to reading financial documents, to working out how much carpet to buy for the lounge, really practical skills.

This brings me back to how Maths Literacy is nothing like Standard Grade Maths which was essentially just a simpler version of Higher Grade maths. Core Maths is a mixture of the old Standard and Higher Grade Maths but leaning more heavily towards Higher Grade.
Maths Literacy, on the other hand, is totally new and exactly as the name describes it. Educating students to become literate in anything number-related that they will encounter in everyday life. Here are just some of the key critical outcomes from the Education Department which aids one’s understanding of what Maths Literacy aims to achieve as a subject:

• • Use mathematical process skills to identify, pose and solve problems creatively and critically
  • Collect, analyse and organise quantitative data to evaluate and critique conclusions
  • Communicate appropriately by using descriptions in words, graphs, symbols, tables and diagrams
  • Demonstrate that a knowledge of Mathematics assists in understanding the interrelatedness of systems and how they affect each other
  • Explore the importance of Mathematical Literacy for career opportunities
  • Realise that Mathematical Literacy contributes to entrepreneurial success

As you can see there is so much useful knowledge to gain from a subject like Maths Literacy and it is so sad that a lot of this has been lost in translation between the Education Department, teachers, students and parents. It has become the subject students are embarrassed to take, causing serious motivation and confidence issues which result in less effort, aiming below potential and poor marks.
With knowledge sharing we can change the perception of Maths Literacy, from ‘a waste of time’ to something truly life changing. It’s not just a subject to pass, it’s a subject designed to equip you with real life skills, giving you the confidence to step into the world and achieve at life.

Tackle it and aim to succeed just like you would in any other subject

So the next time Maths Literacy comes up, don’t write it off as ‘the subject you take if you can’t do Core Maths’ but rather see it as being the subject which you will actually use in the real world! The reality is that Core Maths is not for everyone and people DO Maths Literacy. More than half of Matric students DO Maths Literacy! It should not be sidelined or treated as a lesser subject. If you’re doing Maths Literacy, why not thrive at it? The benefits are obvious. If you need a little help with thriving at Maths Literacy, you should sign up for Maths Online – you will have access to all three grades of the Maths Literacy syllabus taught by video, plus you’ll have access to our live student support.

By taking Maths Literacy you will one day be more equipped to understand the ins and outs of buying a house, make an informed decision about whether or not to buy something using hire purchase and one that nobody can escape, calculating your personal income tax. This is a subject that is worth concentrating on and aiming high. The more you DO in Maths Literacy, the easier life post Matric will be. It’s time to engage, change your perception, apply yourself to the subject, reap the benefits in life, and to sit up and realise what Maths Literacy can do you for!