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A Social and Holistic Approach to Numeracy
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Working with Percent

Given this scenario:

An angry learner doesn't understand percent; says he doesn't care.

What do you do?

  • Take a solid example from his life, e.g. GST calculation, examine mortgage…
  • After he is successful on a calculation, ask him how he got it.
  • It may be a different method from the instructor. We’ll now use learner’s method.
  • Point out how his mind is working it out step by step.
  • Make him aware of his personal learning process. I might compare it to my own process [instructor’s]. Show that both methods are valid.
  • Learner builds confidence and self-awareness through this process.