The mathematics curriculum in the United Kingdom (UK) has undergone radical changes, placing a particular focus on mental computation. Pupils are not taught written methods of computation until they are able to add and subtract any pair of two digit numbers mentally. Teacher education programmes in the UK have required adaptation to reflect these…

Examines the use of mental, written, and calculator strategies of numerical computation by 56 upper primary students. Finds that students introduced to a "calculator-aware" curriculum make greater use of mental computation, particularly multiplication strategies based on distribution and compensation. Notes implications for models of…

This basic math skills teaching and learning guide contains practical advice and resources for British vocational teachers who have little formal mathematics education training and for beginning teachers. The document has five sections on these topics dealing with numeracy instruction: (1) overview of the basic skill and its application to other…