Real-world Math
Overview
When instructors are able to provide context, and connect math concepts to an adult learner's world, math can be seen as relevant and applicable to their daily lives and work- a core aspect of adult Numeracy. These real-world connections are also great ways to integrate math with other disciplines to create cross-curricular connections, supporting Disciplinary Literacy, and fostering confidence and Motivation by helping adults see the relevance of all they are learning. As math is one of the few topics that is typically taught without historical or cultural context, it is particularly important that instruction focus on relevance to best support students from all backgrounds. As adults' lives can vary immensely from person to person, it is important to be aware of the relevance of the real-world context to the learners' individual and cultural contexts so that the connections are truly "real-world".
Use It In Your Learning Environment
Instructors can ask learners to bring in their own mathematical problems based on their own lives. This requires them to make and understand the connection between their own lived experiences and math. Not only does this ensure that these contexts are relevant to the learner and provide them an opportunity to co-create math instruction, it allows them to build upon knowledge they already own. In addition, asking adults to make these connections can promote the kinds of higher order thinking needed to abstract mathematical concepts from more concrete real-world scenarios and supports understanding of conceptually difficult concepts.
Both instructors and products can offer diverse types of problems that are situated in real-world, global contexts. For example, structuring math problems within the lens of social justice not only ties in content from other subjects, like history and literature, but it also allows learners to solve problems that may be personally meaningful to them. As such, making math authentic and relevant to the real world both enables learners to see the value in math and to actually better understand problems and possible solutions in their daily lives.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Instructional Approaches Strategies
When adults can connect and communicate with authentic audiences about their interests and values, learning becomes more personally meaningful and relevant.
When designing instruction for adults, expectations and goals should be clearly outlined to help learners focus on the material and make plans for success.
Competency-based learning is self-paced, focused on mastery, and centered around demonstrating learning outcomes and skills rather than where or how they were attained.
In an increasingly digital world, adults who struggle with using technology can benefit from direct instruction for an array of digital tools.
Teaching learners how to effectively search the internet is critical for helping them learn how to find accurate and relevant information and aids in developing information literacy.
Direct instruction in math strategies may support some adult learners once conceptual understanding is in place.
Research shows that, along with traditional reading comprehension strategies, learners use unique strategies to read the non-linear, hyperlinked structure of online texts.
Adult learners who are struggling with Foundational Reading Skills, including decoding and phonemic awareness, can benefit from explicitly learning phonics skills in an educational setting.
Seeing and using new words repeatedly and across contexts is critical for vocabulary acquisition.
Formative assessment is "assessment for learning" rather than "assessment of learning".
Opportunities for students to practice skills in context, with instructor support and also independently, helps to move concepts and ideas into Long-term Memory.
Intentionally incorporating voice and choice into adult learning experiences is critical for making learning meaningful and relevant.
Metaphors and analogies can support learners by helping to form connections and to notice patterns and similarities that promote learning, self-concept, and higher order thinking.
Mindfulness is a practice to create internal balance and a sense of being present in the moment.
Instruction and training presented in multiple formats allows learners to activate different cognitive skills and Background Knowledge that are necessary to remember procedural and content information.
Using multiple methods of assessment can help educators gain a comprehensive understanding of learner progress across a wide range of skills and content.
When instructors ask questions or have learners create questions before introducing a text, they activate interest, increase Motivation, and help them assess what they already know about a given topic.
Process-based writing focuses on how learners brainstorm, outline, draft, and revise their writing and is most effective when paired with feedback, especially for English language learners.
Learning and studying information across multiple sessions that are spaced, or distributed in time, can promote learning and long-term retention of both basic and conceptually complex facts and concepts.
A strengths-based approach is one where educators intentionally identify, communicate, and harness learners' assets to empower them to flourish.
