ABE Contextualized Math Modules: Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC or CNA)

The module teaches basic mathematics concepts within the context of the Health Science career cluster using routine tasks performed by an NAC.

Author(s)
State of Washington ABE instructors for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Publication Year
2009
Resource Type
Instructional Material
Key Words
Product Type
Target Audience
Abstract

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in partnership with Washington Online supported the development of a series of contextualized math modules for Adult Basic Education (ABE). Written by instructors from across the state, each module consists of a PowerPoint file containing self-paced instructional content. The files can be shared with students for direct use. Instructors can also use the PowerPoint file as a basis for lesson presentation. The series teaches mathematics concepts within the context of occupations spanning the Health Science, Transportation, and Architecture/Construction career clusters. The entire series of 12 modules is accessible at www.sbctc.ctc.edu/college/_e-abepd_teachingresources.aspx

The Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) (or CNA, as is more common) module provides scenario-based instruction to demonstrate the use of mathematics in the daily tasks of an NAC in an adult care facility. Module content is divided into four major tasks typically performed by NACs.  Each task presents a scenario-based problem and teaches the math skills essential to solving it. Practice problems are provided for both skill development and application to authentic situations with answers available to allow learners to check their work. An assessment is included at the conclusion of the module.  Audio narration is provided for the workplace scenarios to support lower-level readers and ELL students.

Benefits and Uses

The focus of this math strand is recording patient information to complete the duties of an NAC. Students will be able to: (1) Estimate a time schedule; (2) Convert measurements; (3) Read a table; (4) Write a chart; (5) Add; (6) Subtract; (7) Use fractions; (8) Simplify fractions; (9) Multiply; (10) Divide; (11) Calculate a ratio; and (12) Calculate proportion.

Resource Notice

This resource was reviewed and vetted through the Designing Instruction for Career Pathways initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education under Contract No. ED-CFO-10-A-0072/0001.