Mathematics is still one of the most challenging subjects faced by ordinary
grade school and high school students. It is not uncommon to hear of students
who flunk at math not just for because the subject is hard to learn, but also
because they are afflicted with what is now called by teachers as --- math
anxiety.
Math anxiety is referred to as an intense feeling of
helplessness or frustration about one's ability (or lack of it) to accomplish
mathematical tasks or solve mathematical problems. Some who have this "academic
malady" claimed that their minds suddenly go blank and they feel terrified once
they look at a mathematical question or test. Many have proclaimed their sworn
hate for the subject and have simply resigned to what they consider to be fact
--- that they cannot learn to do math.
But what does make math difficult,
or at least, different? According to math teachers, their subject of expertise
is unlike other courses or subjects taught in school for the following
reasons:
1. Math involves the study of various processes. In other
subjects, you learn and understand the material without necessarily having to
apply it. In math, you have to learn the lessons or processes such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division - and then, you have to move on to a
workbook, apply those lessons, and solve math problems.
2. Math is
considered to be a linear learning process where one such process is taught and
used today, and is used as part of the lessons of the following day, and so
forth. Teachers say that when you study history, you can learn chapter 6 even
without passing through some of the previous chapters. You can skip some parts
of history and choose a specific section as part of the lesson. But in Math, you
cannot study algebra without first mastering the four basic mathematical
operations. Given this situation, it is easy to understand why some children who
failed to master basic concepts find it hard to learn higher math concepts, and,
as a consequence, they tend to develop math anxiety.
3. Like a foreign
language, math must be practiced daily to retain your skills.
There are other
reasons why math is very different from other subjects. But for sure, many
children around the world have to grapple with the numbers and concepts that
seem like undecipherable codes. Math anxiety has become so serious that some
academicians believe it is one of the causes for school dropouts. They said that
once the student who is struggling with math feels utterly frustrated in
learning the concepts and processes. that student may conclude that going to
school is futile. In fact, test anxiety is often linked to the fear of failing
math or the fear of actually having to try to solve a mathematical problem. When
a student fails to study or does not prepare sufficiently for an examination,
nervousness and helplessness sets in. But for a student who suffers from math
anxiety, preparing for the examination is already considered "mission
impossible" since he cannot even learn the basic lessons. The only conclusion he
can make is that he will fail the math exam --- again. Clearly, it can be
expected that a student suffering from math anxiety would almost always show
signs of test anxiety.
Now, what can we actually do to help children cope
with math anxiety?
The first step is to recognize that math anxiety is an
emotional response. It is not a permanent condition.
The second step is to
know that certain myths and misconceptions have actually reinforced poor math
performance. One such misconception is that a student can only be good either in
language or in math, and not at both fields of study. A student who performs
well in English grammar class may be a dunce at arithmetic, while a good math
student would surely stammer during a poetry class. Education experts say that
nothing can be farther from the truth. They insist that if schooled well,
children can be good in languages and in numbers. They say that a good
foundation in arithmetic is necessary to do well in higher level of mathematics.
Academicians are also careful to add that teachers play a major role in
developing a healthy and positive regard for studying math. If children
experience repeated frustration and failure in learning math, it may be the
"teacher factor" that is causing the anxiety and inability to learn. Good math
teachers are necessary to make the subject more interesting and rewarding for
the students. The third and most obvious step is to buckle down to work and try
to learn math from the very beginning. As mentioned earlier, it entails a
linear, progressive mastery of concepts and processes. As in all things in life,
mathematics, too, must be learned one step at a time.
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