1.1 Numeracy in the 21st Century Model

Referring back to your weekly learning outcomes, by the end of this topic, you will be able to:

  • understand the Numeracy in the 21st Century model and how to incorporate it into their planning and practice.

Activity: Numeracy in the 21st century

  1. Explore Numeracy in the twenty-first century of the Numeracy Guide.
  2. Review and unpack the elements of the Numeracy in the 21st Century model, especially those described in Table 1. Consider and describe how these elements of the model can be executed in the educational setting.
Taken from Goos (2007): Critical orientation: use of mathematical information to: make decisions and judgements; add support to arguments; challenge an argument or position. Contexts: capacity to use mathematical knowledge in a range of contexts, both within schools and beyond school settings. Dispositions: confidence and willingness to use mathematical approaches to engage with life-related tasks; preparedness to make flexible and adaptive use of mathematical knowledge. Mathematical knowledge: Mathematical concepts and skills; problem solving strategies; estimation capacities. Tools: Use of materials (models, measuring instruments), representational (symbol systems, graphs, maps, diagrams, drawings, tables, ready reckoners) and digital (computers, software, calculators, internet) tools to mediate thinking.

Figure 1. Numeracy in the 21st century model (Goos, 2007)