Challenging Ways Of Knowing: In English, Mathematics And Science

There are a number of distinctive features of this book that makes it different from other on Six Sigma. It recognizes that there are two diametrically opposing views expressed on Six Sigma, those that are strongly in favour, and those that are not, for various reasons. The book deals, head on, with the principle reasons for such hostility. It cuts through the hype associated with the brand name. It proposes simple remedies for certain defined frailties in the standard approach, particularly those related to the Sigma Measure that provides the brand name for the Six Sigma breakthrough strategy. The book is highly supportive of the Six Sigma continuous improvement process, provided it is tailored to the needs and expectations of a particular organization. The commitment and active participation of top management is emphasized, to ensure the necessary change in culture and priorities demanded, in most organizations. Practical guidance is given in the setting up, operating and developing the project by project approach across an organisation. The book also covers how to equip a critical mass of members in an organization with the core workforce competencies required to get the desired results. The book covers the realities of applying Six Sigma in a range of functions within an organization and also to various types of organizations from the manufacturing sector to commerce and public service. It demonstrates how statistical thinking, coupled with the application of technical and operational knowledge of processes and focus provided by Six Sigma, can considerably enhance quality, competitiveness, effectiveness and efficiency. Statistical process control is a tool, which enables both manufacturers and suppliers to achieve control of product quality by means of the application of statistical methods in the controlling process. This book gives the foundations of good quality management and process control, including an explanation of what quality is, and control of conformance and consistency during production. The text offers clear guidance and help to those unfamiliar with either quality control or statistical applications and coves all the necessary theory and techniques in a practical and non-mathematical manner. This book will be essential reading for anyone wishing to understand or implement modern statistical process control techniques.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Changing the subject boundaries: good science or good art? or both?, Shirley Brice Heath; evolving shared discourse with teachers to promote literacies for learning in South Africa, Alan and Viv Kenyon; mathematics, and its learning, as narrative - a literacy for the 21st century, Leone Burton. Part 2 Literacy practices inside schools, outside schools and in higher education: scientific literacy - a functional construct, Edgar Jenkins; family literacy programmes and home literacy practices, David Barton; enlarging the ways of taking for literary texts, Henrietta Dombey; frames of knowledge, Terezinha Nunes; children's formal and informal school numeracy practices, Dave Baker; how can you discuss alone? - academic literacy in a South African context, Lyn Hewlett; academic literacies, Brian V. Street. Part 3 The role of texts in literacies for learning: an agenda for research on text materials in primary science for second language learners in developing countries, Alan Peacock; focusing on the frames - using comic books to challenge dominant literacies in South Africa, Peter Esterhuysen; book learning - literacy and information, Margaret Meek. Part 4 Questioning dominant canons and practices: dominant and subversive literacy practices - the case for literature, Carol Fox; scientific literacy - whose science? whose literacy?, John Clay; calculating people - origins of numeracy in India and the West, George Gherverrhese Joseph.

About the Author :
Dave Baker, John Clay, Carol Fox