Maths
Barry Crown
Thursday 2-3:30pm
barry.crown@cheadleu3a.org
01538 752989

Event Information

 Basic Maths

Length:             1.5 hours total including a 15 minute interval    

Thursday:          2:30 – 4:00   (Restarting 14th October 2010)

Venue:              6^th Form College

Numbers:          Maximum of 12

Material:            Whiteboard and Pens. Projector and Screen for PC (PowerPoint)

Level:                First six weeks is a primer that progresses to basic maths. The later levels depend on

                        class progress and motivation.

Objective:           The course is aimed at two types.

1. The first are those who didn’t like maths at school. They switched off, fell behind and maths became a mysterious black hole. However, many in this group have untapped mathematical ability.

2. The second are those who did well at maths, learning and applying methods, yet without being taught or learning the underlying mathematical principles. They can do it but why it works is a mystery!

The course is intended to remove old fears and develop hidden ability in the first type by covering the underlying ideas and principals of maths in a largely non symbolic way. It also aims to introduce the second type to the same underlying principles to deepen and enhance their understanding.

The six week confidence building process will be followed by more formal sessions, starting with the basics and proceeding to more advanced topics, depending on the ability and appetite of the class.

The foundational six weeks will include:

·        What puts some people off maths

·        What use is maths, why bother learning it?

·        Maths and the real world?

·        Mathematical symbols – as clear as Chinese?

·        Why 4 out of 3 people can’t do fractions (Ken Dodd)

·        A history of  numbers

The course is therefore intended for both those who consider themselves mathematically challenged and those with some existing mathematical skill who would enjoy expanding and deepening their mathematical understanding.  

According to Ian Stewart (Professor of maths at Warwick University) there are three types of people in the world – those who can count and those who can’t.

Which are you?

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