ERIC Number: ED480008
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2001
Pages: 7
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Implications for Women and Children When Mothers Return To Study Mathematics.
Brew, Christine R.
In an attempt to understand the intellectual experiences of women returning to the education system to learn mathematics, data were collected from 11 women in 2 adult mathematics class in Australia who were early school leavers between the ages of 35 and 50 with between 1 and 4 children ranging in age from 2 to 17. Participants were interviewed after three weeks of class observation and at the end of the courses about their perceptions of mathematics; the role of the learner, teacher, peers, and assessment in their learning; as well as their reasons for returning to study; their previous school experience; and the influence of parents on their schooling. One of the motivating factors for returning to study mathematics for 7 of the 11 participants was to support their children academically, including wanting to be a good role model and wanting to break the cycle of learning difficulties. Findings suggest that having older children at home can encourage adult learners to verbalize their mathematical thinking; that when the home academic environment improves so do the benefits for children's mathematical achievements; and that women's intellectual growth may be intimately connected to being able to support their own children's development. (The document includes 2 case studies and discussion of them, as well as 15 references.) (MO)
Descriptors: Adult Basic Education, Adult Development, Adult Education, Adult Programs, Adult Students, Educational Attitudes, Individual Development, Mathematics Education, Mothers, Numeracy, Parent Influence, Parent Role, Parent Student Relationship, Reentry Students, Self Concept, Student Educational Objectives, Student Role, Teacher Role, Theory Practice Relationship, Womens Education
Peppercorn Press, PO Box 693, Snow Camp, NC 27349 (Papers not sold individually, for complete volume: ISBN 1-928836-10-0, $25).
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
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Author Affiliations: N/A