RaW newsletter - August 2009
Wednesday 2 September 2009
raw numbers
raw numbers is a new set of online resources the BBC is developing, aimed at anyone who wants to become more skilled in using numbers. In particular we are focusing on people with lower Entry Level numeracy skills who are not currently in formal education.
Initial research
Initial research suggests that many people with low level numeracy skills find ways of coping with everyday life and tend to avoid thinking about a subject that is often associated with negative emotional experiences from school. However there are moments in most people's lives when maths is needed.
We are currently gathering examples of these moments - points in people's everyday lives when they have a momentary need for or interest in maths - as potential drivers for people to use online and potentially mobile-phone based resources to improve their numeracy skills.
Audience research
Our audience research has suggested some of these points of need - For example:
calculating a discount, converting currency, helping children with homework, working out a tip or splitting the bill, adding up shopping, converting weights and measures, work related tasks and personal finance.
So far we are loosely grouping them into three areas:
Everyday 'points of need': specific unavoidable everyday numeracy-related challenges (eg How many of these items can I afford to take to the till? How do I add VAT onto my quote? My child is asking me a question about maths, what do I say?)
Everyday 'points of interest': opportunities to deepen general understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of life (eg I wonder how much Fred Goodwin's salary is per month. How much would I win if I bet on those odds? How much is 700 billion dollars? How much rice should I use to make this recipe for 8 people?)
'Awe and wonder' type questions (eg What is Stonehenge all about? When did the year 0 AD start? Are there ever more than 3 dimensions?)
Feedback
If you have any real examples of numeracy-related points of need and interest of any kind we would be grateful for all contributions. Please email any examples to us at raw@bbc.co.uk.
My Story Competition update:
My Story will be launched on BBC One, The One Show in the week of 7th September. My Story is a competition and a story sharing project, it creates an opportunity for practitioners in both formal and informal learning to get people thinking about and writing their stories. People will be invited to share their true-life stories on the My Story website, which also offers videos, tips and tools to get writing.
All stories submitted will be entered into our fantastic BBC competition, with 15 finalists having their story told on a BBC One TV series in 2010,and then 5 winners will have their story published. Put a reminder in your diary to log onto the new website in the w/c 7th September - bbc.co.uk/mystory.
In the meantime you can start preparing to use My Story in the Autumn with the d ownloadable My Story workshop ideas, available free here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/raw/partners/tutors/mystory.shtml.
You can also pre-order the free 24 page My Story magazine, with writing tips and true stories, by emailing your name and address to mystory@bbc.co.uk with the number of copies you require.
Please note, if you are in a library you will automatically receive 50 copies of the magazine in September.
Resources:
Don't forget, you can still download or order our free materials by logging onto www.bbc.co.uk/raw
please allow 28 days for delivery when ordering hard copies