Literacy and Numeracy
in Everyday Context.
Workplace
Nicholas Boreham (2004),
claims that a systems-level
understanding of the work
process as a whole, enables
workers to understand how their
own actions interconnect with
actions being taken elsewhere
in the system.
Literacy and numeracy in the
workplace needs to be
integrated into the big picture of
the company in order to make
learning meaningful for workers.
Workplace background
 Metal casting company.
 Experiencing issues with quality
standards, where staff were not
adhering to company procedures.
 As a result the quality of their
product was being compromised.
 High needs for number and
measurement were identified.
Understanding procedure
 Stages of producing a metal casting is
like following a cooking procedure, in
that it involves mixing the correct
proportions of ingredients in order to
achieve the desired quality outcome.
 Slurry mixture ingredients had to be in
correct proportions in order for ceramic
moulds to withstand the heat of the
melted metal.
 Cooking is an experience in most
people’s daily lives, involving
procedures that are meaningful.
Before the Baking activity
 Fractions, decimals, measurement
concepts and estimation skills were
discussed in sessions prior to the
baking activity.
 Numeracy skills and strategies were
developed using a situated approach
in their workplace, encouraging
reasoning, communication and
problem-solving.
Before the Baking activity
 Microwave was the only cooking
facility available in the lunchroom.
 Learners were given finished muffins
to taste and the scenario was
explained that they were required to
follow the given recipe in order
produce the same quality of product
required by the customer.
During the baking activity
 Discussion about the steps being
followed and the reasons for these
steps being in the order that they
were.
 Which were the critical steps and
what might happen if we changed
their order?
After the baking lesson
 How we could adapt the recipe to
achieve a better outcome than the
brief?
 We talked about how the importance
of following procedure applies to the
company’s quality standards (ISO)
commitments and obligations.
Feedback from Company
 The company owner happened to be
in the lunchroom during one of our
baking sessions and observed the
communication that went on.
 The feedback from him at a meeting
was that he was very impressed with
the problem-solving approach and he
learnt how to ask questions and
allow waiting time for responses.