How to use this resource

There are three main sections in this resource:

Knowing the demands
(of the problems that learners want or need to manage).
Knowing the learner
(what they can do already, in order to determine the next learning steps).
Knowing what to do
(to help learners move on to the next steps).

These sections fit a process that can be illustrated as a flow chart.

Teaching adults to reason statistically: using the learning progressions

Diagram showing the three main sections in this resource. Links to three main sections of the diagram.

Knowing the demands

First identify the numeracy demands of the course, task, text, problems or work practices the learners want to accomplish and map them against the learning progressions.

Knowing the learner

Use the tools in this section and the learning progressions to identify the learners’ skills. This section contains two diagnostic activities that can be used to identify learners’ strengths and needs in measurement.

Knowing what to do

Use the learning progressions to set achievable goals for and with the learners. The decisions about what to teach should be based on the identified demands of the tasks and where learners ‘sit’ on the learning progressions. Identify specific activities and materials to use (based on your course and context), then apply them in your teaching. Finally, review and reflect on the outcomes for the learners, with the learners.In this resource, mapping the tasks the learners will encounter is the first step in planning for instruction. The next step is finding out where the learners ‘sit’ on the progressions. Where there is a gap between what the learners can do and what a task demands, you and your learners can refer to the learning progressions to make decisions about what to teach and learn next.

Strands and progressions

The learning progressions are organised within seven strands that cover the key components of listening, speaking, reading, writing and numeracy. Each progression shows a series of steps that reflect the typical sequence of skill development for oral language, written language and numeracy. The steps described are not tasks to be mastered in a set order. They do, however, offer information and a structure that can be used to develop curricula and learning and assessment tools. This current resource provides examples of how the progressions can be used. You are encouraged to design your own materials for teaching and learning to meet the needs of the adults with whom you work.

It is important to keep in mind that although the progressions are described in separate strands, in practice we use literacy, language and numeracy skills and knowledge in ways that are typically interconnected. For example, a person may listen to a report about rising interest rates, speak to their partner about their mortgage, read the information from several banks (using their knowledge of numbers to interpret and compare rates), then write questions to ask a bank about the options for managing a mortgage. Even filling in a form requires both reading and writing skills, and may also involve a discussion to clarify terms or requirements. Learners will better understand how their existing knowledge can support new learning when these connections are made clear.