What is math anxiety? Deb Russell (mathematic expert) gives her definition in her article on the web site about.com called Math Anxiety. Math anxiety conjures up a fear of some type. Just like for actors who suffer from stage fright. They fear forgetting their lines, or fear being judge poorly. Someone who suffers from math anxiety also fears something. They fear they will not understand the math, or that it is too hard. These fears often branch from lack of self-confidence. In this paper, I will give my summary of the article by Deb Russell and answer the following questions. What is math anxiety? Where does math anxiety come from? What are the myths and misconceptions of math? What to do to help elevate or reduce math anxiety? I will also
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According to Russell, it usually develops due to an unpleasant experience in math. Often time’s math phobias start due to limited understanding of math due to poor teaching. Students rely too much on the procedures or formulas in math without understanding the math itself. They memorize rules and routines without truly understanding the concepts involved with doing the math. The math quickly forgotten and panic soon sets in.
Myths and misconceptions that lead to math anxiety are as follows. You are born with a math gene, you get or you do not. Math is for men, women never get it. Math is too hard for the average person. If the logical side of your brain is not your strength, then you will never get math. There is only one way to do math.
What can we do to help overcome math anxiety? Russell writes, six things you can do to help: (1) having a positive attitude will help. (2) Ask questions and be determined to understand the math. Do not just settle when you do not understand, ask for clear illustrations and or demonstrations or simulations. (3) Practice regularly, especially when you are having difficulty. (4) When do not have a total understanding, hire a tutor or work with peers that understand the math. You can do the math, sometimes it just take a different approach for you to understand some of the concepts. (5) Don't just read over your notes - do the math. Practice the math and make sure you can honestly state that you understand
According to Russell, it usually develops due to an unpleasant experience in math. Often time’s math phobias start due to limited understanding of math due to poor teaching. Students rely too much on the procedures or formulas in math without understanding the math itself. They memorize rules and routines without truly understanding the concepts involved with doing the math. The math quickly forgotten and panic soon sets in.
Myths and misconceptions that lead to math anxiety are as follows. You are born with a math gene, you get or you do not. Math is for men, women never get it. Math is too hard for the average person. If the logical side of your brain is not your strength, then you will never get math. There is only one way to do math.
What can we do to help overcome math anxiety? Russell writes, six things you can do to help: (1) having a positive attitude will help. (2) Ask questions and be determined to understand the math. Do not just settle when you do not understand, ask for clear illustrations and or demonstrations or simulations. (3) Practice regularly, especially when you are having difficulty. (4) When do not have a total understanding, hire a tutor or work with peers that understand the math. You can do the math, sometimes it just take a different approach for you to understand some of the concepts. (5) Don't just read over your notes - do the math. Practice the math and make sure you can honestly state that you understand