Literacy and Numeracy Capabilities in the Australian Curriculum

Blog Posts

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Blog #1 Literacy and Numeracy Capabilities in the Australian curriculum
Literacy and Numeracy capabilities in the Australian Curriculum?
The application of mathematical skills is evident in everyday life (Shomos & Forbes, 2014). In
business, numerical skills become useful to consumers who engage in price comparisons when
shopping. Financial management skills make sense when a person is numerate. Professionals
apply statistics in measurements, analysis, and projections. Although numeracy is common,
many people do not have the confidence to apply numeracy skills. Mathematical literacy means
the ability to reason using numbers and arithmetic concepts. The application of these numerical
skills within different concepts depends on the issues at hand. Having the ability to reason
logically involves:
 Data interpretations
 Concept application
 Information processing
 Problem solving
 Decision-making
 Logical thinking
 Reasoning
Therefore, classroom numeracy is different from real life experiences because of the practical
application involved. Some people may not perform well in mathematics yet they will succeed in
business, finance or statics. Different factors influence the development of numeracy skills and
numbers become more useful when learners grow from being students to professionals (Gilmore
& Cragg, 2014). Among these are the student’s motivation, individual abilities, and attitudes.
Successful learning attracts achievement hence the correlation between mathematical knowledge
and problem-solving skills.

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Figure 1: Mathematics quote (IMGUR, 2017)
Teaching in learning areas
It is common to ask, what is literate and numerate thinking? Before gaining adult numeracy, the
learning process focuses on critical subject areas. Numeracy skills shape the development of
high-level literacy skills through complex inferences (Skemp, 2012). This starts with simple
counting activities, which start from the foundational level. The progressive development of
these skills through levels involves the use of other subjects other than English. Literacy and
numeracy skills improve competencies and support professional development. The correlation
between mathematical tasks and real-life applications lies in the proficiency development. This
influences participation in associative activities. As a result, mathematical skills enhance literacy
levels creating a demand in the job markets. Literacy, in this case, is the ability to comprehend
and respond to written information. Numeracy is the use of mathematical concepts to solve
problems. The interpretation and analysis of information are essential in the development of
mathematical lessons. Maths lessons have planned activities that involve charts, numbers, place
values, logic, and algebra among others. Interactive learning incorporates real-life subject areas
such as symbols, multiplication and money matters that enhance proficiency in learning. Lessons
give students a chance to experiment, visualize and develop skills.
The Australian Curriculum in math’s focuses on interpretation, comparison, and display of data
(Sing, 2013). Interrelated elements in literacy and numeracy include conversion of written words
into numerical skills. Multiplication, calculations, self-direction and communicating
mathematical ideas is in a wide range of contexts. Literacy means evaluating and analysing
information in order to create meaning, present opinion and participate in knowledge processes.
General capabilities include the ability to share ideas, improve tasks and sharpen knowledge.
Literacy develops through texts, visual and word knowledge. This happens through different
contexts with imaginative and alternative communication techniques. Mathematics lessons make

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use of gestures, real objects, images, signs, and texts. Communicating tasks to students through
language requires the ability to comprehend, read listen and visualize. Informative texts in
numeracy support knowledge and skills through different roles and dispositions. Learning
through contexts is essential for knowledge development. Organizing numeracy involves:
  Spatial reasoning
  Interpretation of statistical data
  Calculating, measuring and
  Pattern recognition
The language supports numeracy in learning areas and unfamiliar situations. Curriculum
development needs a deeper understanding of mathematical terminologies. Language enhances
content descriptions helping learners to make quality judgments (Bita, 2016).
Blog #2 Numeracy verses Mathematics
The difference between numeracy skills and mathematics is in the contexts. Numeracy in the
school system implies the quantitative literacy (Sing, 2013). On the other hand, mathematics is
the real application of arithmetic applications such as patterns, space, and numbers. The use of
math skills focuses on predictable and interpretative information. Numeracy is mathematical
concepts in practice. It involves problem-solving concepts in the real world. The development of
quantitative skills incorporates proficiency and competency development for confident use of
numbers, measures and computational skills. Numeracy gives practical understanding widely
adopted at primary level. Numeracy involves numerical literacy and the ability to use
mathematics skills is one of them.
Understanding Numeracy
The Australian educational system supports proficiency in numeracy, which supports an
understanding of the number system (Bita, 2016). Numeracy focuses on giving learners the
confidence to solve a number of problems. As part of the critical skills supported by the
universal basic education, numeracy is applicable across the globe. Mathematics covers pure and
applied mathematics. Although school systems view this as a subject with geometry, algebra and
numerical calculations. Math as a core subject in learning equips learners with problem-solving
and logic skills. Mathematical literacy supports effectiveness in thinking processes, pattern
formation, development of techniques and providing answers.