This is the first of twelve posts about 'neo numeracy'. I make no apology for borrowing or making up a phrase like this. I'd like to outline what I think it is, and if you have any views, about it please feel free to add them.
In my own view, Neo numeracy describes an approach to numeracy teaching and learning specifically for adults. However, it integrates and acknowledges the presence of 'real life' numeracy practices and mathematics in peoples' lives and acknowledges (as do our approaches to neo literacy) the characteristics of adult learners as described by Knowles.
If we consider how numeracy features in an adult's life and how its processes can be overlooked or subverted by adult teaching we can perhaps describe numeracy teaching, (in some cases) as a protracted subjugation of adult knowledge beneath the technical requirements that 'mathematics' enforce.
This can result in a re-emergence of maths anxiety and math phobia that often afflicts young people, and cause a raft of hidden excitements and hyper-arousals to rise to the fore.
I invite anyone who desires to add their own observations about this - have you experienced 'maths-Anxiety' or 'Math phobia'?
In your opinion, where did it start?
An how might an adult educator accommodate this and reduce the anxiety and fear in their practices?
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