Decided to resit my GCSE in maths

[sq225917]

Work from home until you can not any longer, no point taking a lease on that you don't have to. You could be paying off a mortgage with that money.

 

[Bob McC]

I just don't have any experience of proper adult education

Out of the mouths of babes......

 

[auric]

It all looks to be of more use than an A level in maths.

Try Business Link as you are trying to make a success out of your business are you not?

 

[Joe]

I just about scraped a pass at O level maths back in the dim and distant past. I have no intention of ever looking at another maths problem as long as i live.

Numbers is OK by themselves, but once they started mixing letters and numbers together, you get
a3=b1-c4+d7
and where's the sense in that?

PS My wife is about to re-engage in education after a long gap, but she's doing an MA so that's alright.

 

[Joe]

I bet you worry about worrying...

I worry about not worrying.

 

[Samantha]

Numbers is OK by themselves, but once they started mixing letters and numbers together, you get
a3=b1-c4+d7
and where's the sense in that?

Joe - Just to explain the letters thing as it is a common question over what the sense is (why did the teachers not explain better the practical application?) It is actually useful when you have some missing info and you substitue the missing number with a letter and can use basic algebra to deduce what that number is.

Too many missing ones in your equation, but most equations are actually serving a purpose. I use it in my job and I am sure engineers will. I know certainly my boyfriend who develops/sets up race cars he uses algebra/calculus and maths that is beyond the A-level/HND stuff I got to.

 

[I-S]

It was differential calculus, cauchy-reimann, laplace and fourier where I ran into trouble (I understand what fourier transforms DO... I just can't sit down and work one out).

AT - by all means teach yourself or get tuition on the maths you need to run your business. Don't go and redo your GCSE for the sake of redoing your GCSE. You're self employed, no one is reading your CV and once you've done a few years in a line of work then no one cares what GCSEs you did 10 years ago.

 

[Joe]

Joe - Just to explain the letters thing as it is a common question over what the sense is (why did the teachers not explain better the practical application?)

Thanks for clarifying that. I was taught by the Christian Brothers. Their idea of 'explaining' things was a smack upside the head or a whack on the knuckles with a leather strap.

 

[amazingtrade]

Thats the thing I don't really need any maths to my business. I mean I can do percentages, work out capital allowances etc that is about as advanced as the maths get.

At the moment just spending some money on some software licences tha will make my job easier and have put my name down for a business unit but there is a long waiting list.

 

[scott_01]

I can only imagine the threads that the new Manchester Computing hub at AT-Towers will generate:

'Cheap Pest Control'

How can I stop rodents eating my laptops, I'm getting really worried about this, don't want to kill the little mites though

'Defaulting on your rent'

'If I fail to pay my business rates will my unit get repossessed, or will I end up bankrupt, this is really worrying me'

'Getting rid of detritus'

I have ten gross used johnnies outside my office door every morning, all floating in a sea of White Lightning and vomit, I' worried that it's putting off customers, what should I do?


Business parks are for bored coppers, burger vans and unsavory behavior (after hours, hopefully). As SQ said, why waste the cash? In central Manc can't be cheap either, can it? How many laptops do you have lying around at any time?

If you have some cash then why not look at a suitable OU postgraduate course you'd like to do. The foundation maths units may help you towards a wider qualification?

 

[firestorm]

As an aside - I had a telephone interview recently, the interviewer asked about my A level results and whether I had a 2:1 or 1st class honours !

I couldn't believe they were interested in my A Levels - I graduated more than 20 years ago.

my 2p, spend time on something that'll improve your business or personal life rather than dwelling in the past.

however, if its really eating you, do it and put it behind you.

best of luck

 

[Telkman]

There's plenty of real-world alternatives to GCSEs, AT...

Using a Bus
Using Coins
Using a Cafe
Washing Own Hands
Making a Cold Drink
Shopping in [insert one of five different shops]
Using a Vending Machine

http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/uas/units/life.php

UNIT TITLE: WASHING OWN HANDS
CURRICULUM AREA(S): LIFE SKILLS, HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

UNIT DESCRIPTION: In this practical unit the student will learn to wash his/her hands, with assistance where necessary, on three consecutive occasions.

PROCEDURES FOR MAKING AND RECORDING ASSESSMENTS:
Assessed by the youth worker by means of observation (1-3). All assessments recorded on an AQA Summary Sheet.

OUTCOMES TO BE ACCREDITED

In successfully completing this unit the student will have demonstrated the ability to

1. wash own hands with soap and water, with assistance where necessary;
2. dry own hands, with assistance where necessary;
3. carry out the process on three different occasions.

 

[I-S]

Oh dear god... This is real isn't it.

 

[Telkman]

Oh dear god... This is real isn't it.

'fraid so!

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article...hing_a_bus&in_article_id=720027&in_page_id=34

 

[I-S]

Just browsed the site a bit. I never realised I'd missed out on so many qualifications for things I've done.

For example:

Travelling in a narrow boat
Selecting a Holiday
Walking in a group for pleasure
Planning to decorate a bathroom
Using kitchen appliances
Using a vacuum cleaner

At first I did wonder if this was a special needs thing, but it does, in fact, say

It can be used with students of any ability and of any age.

What's next, telling people how to get dressed?!

Hold on....

AQA UNIT AWARD SCHEME

CODE NO: 89751
CENTRE NAME: WESTMINSTER YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE NO: 11218

UNIT TITLE:

UNDRESSING AND DRESSING ONESELF

However, even worse...

OUTCOMES TO BE ACCREDITED

In successfully completing this unit the
student will have

demonstrated the ability to

1. recognise at least six items of clothing;
2. remove and put on own clothes
correctly;
3. manipulate at least three fastenings
properly, e.g. zips, laces, buckles.

EVIDENCE TO BE OFFERED

Youth leader completed itemised checklist and/or
video evidence of the session (1-3)

Evidence? Is this for the qualification or the subsequent conviction of the Youth Leader?

 

[Telkman]

Youth leader completed itemised checklist and/or
video evidence of the session (1-3)

Evidence? Is this for the qualification or the subsequent conviction of the Youth Leader?

Video evidence is a little worrying, isn't it?

 

[Dev]

Video evidence is a little worrying, isn't it?

You're worried about the video evidence? .

 

[lbr]

I have an AQA award in unfinished

 

[mr cat]

oops...hadn't seen the earlier posts!

 

[amazingtrade]

It is a complete farse. Just like key skills I have level 3 in maths which is supposed to be A level but it was easier than GCSE. Level 3 in communications was a complete joke. My english is damn right poor but I found it a complete breaze. Easier than catching a bloody bus.

Oh level 3 in catching a bus probably entails giving the driver the right change.

These sort of mickey mouse qualifications do give people who left school with nothing some sort of confidence though. In reality I think they are probably mainly given to students with special needs or used as a cover so certain schemes can get the required funding.

They will be introducing an Aqa in driving a car next.