To Evaluate the Effectiveness of an Interactive Numeracy Skills Product in Increasing Numeracy Skills in Adults Learners Undertaking a Basic Accounting Course

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, it would give me great pleasure to show my gratitude to my professor, for his propositions, remarks, understanding and patience. It would also be an honour to express gratitude to my parents, my mother, my father, my sister and my brother for their endless support in my life and allowing me to make all my decisions. I would also like to take the opportunity to show appreciation to my co-workers for their expert cooperation on every occasion. I would also like to be grateful to the Department, managers of the university, instructors and students who have supported me throughout this research.

DECLARATION

I declare that the content presented in this thesis/dissertation is, in my understanding and opinion, original and has not been presented for scholarly assessment in the past, either completely or partly, for an academic degree at this educational institution or elsewhere. I would also like to admit that I have studied and understood the principles, prerequisites, processes and guidelines of the University regarding the higher academic degree research award and to my dissertation. I would also like to declare that I have abided by the University's principles, prerequisites, processes and guidelines.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Research Study1

Rational of the Research Study2

Aim and Objectives of the Research Study3

Research Questions3

Significance of the Research Study4

Scope of the Research Study5

Outline of the Dissertation5

Chapter Summary7

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW8

Introduction8

Adult Learning Theory9

Numeracy Concept11

Perspective of Numeracy Skills in Ireland12

Numeracy as Mathematical Skills in the context of Ireland13

Numeracy across the Ireland15

Numeracy as Mathematics in Everyday Life of Irisih People21

Practices of Numeracy Subjects in Ireland22

Irish Practices22

Maths Week in Past Five Years in Ireland26

Examples of Interactive numeracy skills Programs in Learning27

Perspectives of Authors regarding Numeracy Skills and Literacy28

Challenges in Ireland regarding Numeracy Skills29

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY31

Research Method31

Data Collection32

Instrumentation33

Data Collection Process33

Research Participants34

Data Analysis35

Informed Consent35

Confidentiality35

Reliability and Validity36

Ethical Consideration37

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS38

Pre-Test Assessment38

Post-Test Assessment39

Survey Analysis40

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION49

Conclusion49

Recommendations50

REFERENCES51

APPENDIX61

Appendix A: Participant Consent form61

Appendix B: Survey Questions62

Appendix C: Pre-Test and Post-Test Assessments66

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research Study

The importance of numeracy cannot be underestimated in the early years. Since many years numeracy is effectively used in real life situations to make sense of mathematics and its relative studies. Askew (1999) suggested 'learning of mathematics has always been important for the learners who seek to develop the skills of analysis, logical thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to think in abstract ways for creativity and opportunities' (p.95). To effectively learn the numerical courses such as accounting and finance effective knowledge of number-based studies and skills is essential to perform well in both early age learning and adult learning in the schools of Ireland.

Adults can effectively develop their interactive numeracy skills through cumulative growth in their understanding of key applications and concepts of their skills in new context. To make the learning effective teachers allow identifying the progression within adults and suggesting the understandable next steps towards development at Irish ...