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ALM is an international research forum bringing together researchers and practitioners in adult mathematics/numeracy teaching and learning in order to promote the learning of mathematics by adults.
Objects of ALMALM's objects are, since October 1999, the advancement of education by the establishment and development of an international research forum in the life-long learning of mathematics and numeracy by adults by: encouraging research into adults learning mathematics at all levels and disseminating the results of this research for the public benefit; promoting and sharing knowledge, awareness and understanding of adults learning mathematics at all levels, to encourage the development of the teaching of mathematics to adults at all levels, for the public benefit.
How we try to achieve these objects Specifically, our aim is to improve the learning of mathematics by adults. Several reports showed that many adults have difficulties with the basic mathematical skills needed as parents, citizens and workers. For example, the Moser Report (UK, Department for Education and Employment, 1999) suggests that in Britain, 40% of adults have some numeracy problems and 20% have very low attainment in numeracy. The results of the International Adult Literacy Survey (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1997) indicated that there are similar situations in many other countries.
ALM's membership is concerned about this situation and works in a variety of educational environments to improve the learning of mathematics by adults. Currently many of our members are involved in the provision of adult basic education programs. Other members are involved in teaching mathematics at all levels in further and higher education, including initial teacher training and ongoing professional updating of teachers. Many of their students are adults.
The ALM forum provides opportunities for teachers to bring successful practice from their own classrooms to a wider audience. This happens at the annual conferences and throughout the year through the communication and networking encouraged by the forum. By reflecting on our own practice and the practice of others and by fostering international links between teachers, we are able to encourage the transference of good practice in curriculum design, and in teaching and learning materials and methods, which have evolved in different countries. In this way, innovative ideas are enhanced through critical appraisal by fellow participants and pass into the public store of educational material through the publication of the Proceedings of our annual conferences. Thus the teaching of mathematics to adults is improved and adult students benefit.
However, there is not enough information available about what mathematics is required by adults in their daily and working lives, how adults learn mathematics, and what the most effective androgogical practices are. Our aim is to connect research with practice, by bringing the experience of practitioners and students to bear on the formulation of research questions and the conduct of research, and by making academic research accessible to teachers and therefore benefit their students.
The organization does not support a single theoretical framework, or commission or conduct research. The presentation of papers at our annual conferences provides an opportunity for discussion on research methods and findings, which constitutes an active and participative public peer review process and quality enhancement mechanism.
People working in the field who are not members of the organization and/or who are not able to attend the annual conferences, are also able to make use of the activities of participants and therefore benefit their students by access to the published Proceedings of the conferences. The dissemination of the results of our work increases the sum of communicable knowledge about the mathematical education of adults.
We believe that these collective actions are of direct benefit to the public. ALM Officers and Trustees 2009-2010| Dr. Chris Klinger, Chair | University of South Australia | Adelaide, Australia | | Graham Griffiths, Secretary | LLU+ London South Bank University | London, UK | | Beth Kelly, Treasurer | LLU+ London South Bank University | London, UK | | Joanne Kantner, Membership Secretary | Joliet Junior College | Illinois, USA | | Ruth Moulton | Freelance | London, UK | | Catherine Byrne | Education Unit, Wheatfield Prison | Dublin, Ireland | | | | | | Honorary Trustees: | | | Prof. John O'Donoghue | University of Limerick | Limerick, Ireland | | Prof. Dr. Juergen Maasz | University of Linz | Linz, Austria | | Prof. Diana Coben | King's College London | London, UK | | Dr. Alison Tomlin | King's College London | London, UK | | Dr. Katherine Safford | Saint Peter’s College | New Jersey, USA | | Dr. Mieke van Groenestijn | Utrecht University of Professional Education | Netherlands | | Lisbeth Lindberg | Goteborg University | Sweden | | David Kaye | LLU+ London South Bank University | UK | | Dr. Marj Horne | Australian Catholic University | Melbourne, Australia | | Dr. Gail Fitzsimons | Monash University | Melbourne, Australia | | | | | | (last updated 4 September 2009) | |
ALM CompanyALM has become a Company and has also obtained the status as a National and Overseas Worldwide Charity by English and Welsh Law, UK, since the beginning of the year 2000. The Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association establish the legal status of ALM as a registered charity and limited company under UK law. They describe the aims, purposes and rules of the organisation. Company Number 3901346 / Charity Number 1079462 c/o 26 Tennyson Road, Kilburn
London NW6 7SA
UK
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About ALM
