A new maths module for Transition Year students is being introduced by 120 teachers to their classrooms. As part of this pilot scheme, a series of in-service training courses to present the module to a wider number of teachers continues this week. Athlone RTC is hosting a session today, while tomorrow teachers will gather in Tallaght RTC and on Friday the course will be held in Carlow RTC.

Six regional technical colleges with funding from the EU New Opportunities for Women Programme (NOW) came together to produce a maths module suitable for Transition Year students. It sets out to explore maths in a way that is geared away from the Leaving Cert. The six colleges, known collectively as the RTC Equality Network, commissioned the module from Mary O'Connor, M Sc. The aim was to clarify maths techniques that were problematic. The module sets out to give wide ranging applications to abstract problems and to expose students to concepts which they have not been previously met.

The module will be evaluated over the coming months with a view to introducing it to schools on a wider-scale early in the new year.

Current courses are full, but teachers should contact Deirdre Creedon at the RTC Equality Network base in Cork RTC for information about upcoming courses - phone (021) 326564 or fax (021) 545762.