Many learners struggle with the concepts of algebra within the workplace or in daily life. Chief Examiner reports identify simplifying an algebraic expression, writing an equation and using algebra for solving problems all presenting difficulties.

This interactive course will provide examples of activities that can be used with learners to develop their understanding of algebra, an area which is challenging to many. It will focus on algebraic expressions and linear equations and will look at how to encourage learners to rethink problems and secure their learning through tackling problems.

The application of ratio and proportion is foundational to learner understanding across multiple mathematics areas. In everyday life and the workplace, ratio and proportion are used extensively. Learners often find proportional reasoning problems difficult because they do not fully understand the concepts.

This interactive course will explore different ways ratio and proportion problems, relating to real-life and the workplace, can be solved as well as supporting problem solving development and reasoning skills for Functional Skills and GCSE.

Join our #CfEMLive21 online event which sees maths practitioners from across England sharing outcomes from their action research projects. The themes are mastery teaching; with a focus on 1:1, small group support and diagnostic approaches and  data & technology: with a focus on using technology to engage and teach.

The Maths Teacher Development Groups (MTDGs) are a new form of collaborative professional development from the Centres for Excellence in Mathematics (CfEM) project. Click on the links below for more information about the different groups available this year.

Motivating Learners: communicating that success is possible (4 sessions) 

Developing responsive teaching to meet learner needs (4 sessions) 

Using context to develop mathematical understanding (4 sessions)

Using technology to develop mathematical understanding (4 sessions)  

There is evidence from Chief Examiner reports which identifies the key topic areas of number work and the four main operations as ones most likely to present the most difficulty for functional maths learners.

This interactive course explores a range of methods and approaches that support skills development and deep learning of the four main operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It introduces a range of alternative mathematical methods, tackles misconceptions and uses technology effectively.

Proportional reasoning is the foundation for a number of GCSE topics, which explore more abstract mathematical constructs, such as direct and inverse proportion and their graphical and algebraic representations, similar triangles, and growth and decay problems.

This interactive course will explore different approaches to teaching mathematical techniques based on proportional reasoning and will support problem-solving development and reasoning skills.

Context has long been a problem for learners, along with unpacking worded questions. It is important that we consider and reflect on how we question and word maths problems so learners can access them and demonstrate the knowledge they already possess.

This interactive course will provide a deeper look into how we approach questioning learners and how to develop learners' ability to transfer knowledge across contexts. It will also consider what makes for effective discussion and ways to address maths specific vocabulary.

Presenting maths in a contextualised or embedded way increases motivation and improves learning.

This interactive course will support technical and vocational tutors, trainers, and assessors to identify naturally occurring opportunities to develop learners' maths skills needed to successfully complete their study programme, apprenticeship, or vocational or technical course. A range of resources and best practice approaches will be discussed.

The planning of individual lessons, and how they interlink with others, are crucial in order to maximise the time spent with learners and get the most out of the resources available.

This interactive course will support all practitioners delivering substantial maths content in how approaches to planning can support deeper learning and develop learner engagement. It will include how the use of resources can be maximised and enable participants to gain a greater awareness of how they put together a lesson plan impacts on the learning that does or does not take place.

There is evidence from Chief Examiner reports that identifies manipulating and using numbers as likely to present the difficulty for a learner trying to achieve a Grade 4 and beyond on the Foundation Tier.

This course explores a range of methods and modelling that support skills development and deep learning of fractions, decimals, percentages, negative numbers, indices, and standard form. It introduces a range of rich collaborative tasks, tackles misconceptions and uses technology effectively.

This course is aimed at both new teachers of Functional Skills maths and those already teaching but possibly recently transferred from other areas, including vocational teachers and assessors. It is particularly suitable for those who do not currently hold a specific teaching qualification in maths. It is designed to meet the needs of all parts of the Further Education and Training sector, including independent training providers, colleges, offender learning and adult and community education.

This course supports practitioners working with GCSE maths learners, especially those who have achieved lower than a grade 5 at school. You will explore and experience how to engage and motivate learners and undertake assessment throughout the learner journey to build on prior learning. You will experience digital approaches and other effective practices for leading GCSE maths courses.

Triangles are simple shapes, but their properties are used in many practical applications, for example in engineering and sciences. Understanding the fundamental properties of triangles is foundational to developing learners' understanding of trigonometry and geometry.

This interactive course is designed to enable participants to better support their learners in understanding triangle properties, Pythagoras, basic trigonometry and their practical applications providing a solid foundation for GCSE and vocational learners.