mark2 Posted June 12, 2003 Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 One of our apprentices faces some exams next week as part of his second year. :( His technical knowledge and ability are not in question, however he confesses to being uncertain on passing the basic numeracy and communications exams. :( :( I've seen some copies of recent exams, basic fractions and percentages mainly, I can show him how, but cannot explain it very well.Probably manage to confuse more than help :( Not looked at the communications papers yet but guess they will be basic reading /writing skills.Can anyone point me in the right direction for a little help in the explanations department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nellie2 Posted June 12, 2003 Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 As far as teaching goes, the trick is to be prepared. Know what you are going to cover and break it down into understandable steps.Also, listen to what your trainee is saying to you, if they are not saying anything then ask them which bit they are having trouble with and then break it down into as many steps as it takes.I find visual learning works very well, ie draw pictures........... I do it all the time. If you are trying to explain a percentage then let them see it visually... draw a circle or a square and break it down into sections... the same with fractions really.As far as literacy goes a week is not much time to hone up on those skills... but you can give him some tips... ie, to take his time, to read the questions twice to make sure he has got the point. To answer the questions he knows the answer to and then go back to the ones he isn't sure about and to practice his handwriting. Again to take his time in writing so that it is readable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted June 12, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 I tried that this afternoon with a dummy run of one of the past papers, he would have scored a pass, but he says he found it difficult, problem being they never teach the 'times tables' by repetition anymore.As for visualising things I explained that there is a pattern to most things in maths it's just seeing it !Don't think I'm a very good teacher tho:-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nellie2 Posted June 12, 2003 Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 So he found it difficult!! Anything that is worth having doesn't come easy but it is worth working hard for!!I suppose in the end there is nothing wrong with using your fingers and drawing a five bar gate when counting... if you need to.Give him comparisons he can relate to......... like if David Beckham can kick a ball 200 yards at 100% power......... how far would he be able to kick it at 75% power (if he had a poorly toe!!!). :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted June 12, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 I've done all that, he needs his confidence boosting more than anything I feel, but once he can see the patterns and relate the questions to what he does in the workshop he'll find it easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter e Posted June 12, 2003 Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 Hi Mark.He's left it a bit late, but this link might help. It's free workbooks etc in PDF format that can be downloaded. The work is aimed at schools but it's OK to use with adults. There are worked examples followed by practice. You might be able to support him with these workbooks. Look around the site for the level of stuff he needs. If it's not quite what he wants, come back and I'll point you to some other free numeracy stuff. ;) Maths Innovation CentrePeteOh, and literacy too. Is he doing his Key Skills tests? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter e Posted June 12, 2003 Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 BBC key skills stuff. Click HereList of good links here from Digital Brain. Online resources and practice etc.Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark2 Posted June 12, 2003 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2003 Thanks Peter , Key skills tests, he's going to be sent to those sites an I'll crack the whip too :D Had a look at one of the IT papers :blink: :blink: I couldn't do level 1 :D He WILL pass even if I have to force feed him with it :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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