Free online numeracy learning modules with Scottish twist aim to build number confidence in adults
UHI North, West and Hebrides has launched a free online resource to help people build confidence with their numeracy skills.
Multiply Highland is a series of short interactive modules based on real-life numeracy scenario challenges, such as adding up a bill or reading a pay slip. They are aimed at adults looking to develop number confidence for work, career progression, budgeting, or everyday life.
The modules offer a range of resources including interactive workbooks, videos, worked examples, and quizzes. Each module also features an interactive map of a fictional Highland town, where users work through five scenario-based challenges which celebrate the local language and culture of the region.
The free modules include:
- Number confidence for everyday life
- Number confidence for budgeting
- Number confidence for work
Each module takes approximately two hours to complete and is easy to access, allowing learners to dip in and out as it suits them. At the end, learners can opt to get a certificate of completion.
The modules have been developed by Lexedio, on behalf of UHI North, West and Hebrides, as part of Multiply Highlands – a project supported through the Highland Council and funded by the UK Government through the UK shared prosperity fund. Although inspired by the Highlands and Islands, the resources are available to learners anywhere in the world through the OpenLearn free learning platform.
As part of the Multiply project, UHI North, West and Hebrides also offers free, personalised one-to-one sessions. These are aimed to help people develop essential skills for managing finances, helping children with homework, and handling practical everyday activities like shopping or planning a holiday. Confidence with maths drop-ins are taking place at the Thurso campus throughout November and December and at the Fort William campus from November through to January 2025.
Liz Hudson, Founder and Director of Learning Design at Lexedio, said: “We were delighted to support adult numeracy in the Highlands. Numeracy plays an integral role in everyday life. Whether you’re cooking, shopping, helping kids with homework, or taking care of your health, you need the ability and confidence to use numerical information to make many basic decisions. Unfortunately, many adults lack the essential numeracy skills needed to fully engage with day-to-day activities or achieve their goals. The learning materials are framed around modern and traditional Scottish contexts, and each of the three modules contains an activity zone with quizzes and scenarios that celebrate the region's language and culture. To make the scenarios more engaging and fun, we developed the “Mathemap” concept: an interactive map of a fictional Highland town with multi-step numeracy scenario challenges based on Scottish themes".
For more information visit Study - Multiply