Fear of Math

SOAR Edison College

2008

SOLVE THIS A train leaves Colorado Springs at 9:00 a.m. bound

for Boulder, Colorado, 100 miles away. It travels at 50 mph and stops to pick up passengers every 25 miles. Each stop takes 10 minutes and after each stop the increased passenger weight causes the train’s speed to decrease by 10%.

When will the train arrive?

Choose the correct answer

A) About 11:52 a.m.B) About 11:22 a.m.C) I would rather throw myself in front

of that train than figure out when it’s going to arrive. Why do I need to know this stuff anyway? Smart people just look at the train schedule!

Do you have Math Anxiety ?

• How did trying to solve that math problem make you feel?

• Take the Math Anxiety Test.

• How did you score?

What good is math anyway?

• Math is REQUIRED for a college degree• Math helps you solve problems.• Math is used in everyday life• --balancing a checkbook• --maintaining a household budget• --helping kids with homework• --filing taxes

What is Math Anxiety?

Math anxiety is a learned emotional response to one or more of the following:

1. Listening to a lecture2. Participating in a math class3. Working through problems4. Discussing mathematics

http://www.lemoyne.edu/academic_affairs_support_center/mathanx.htm

Effects of Math Anxiety

Math anxiety—feelings of dread and avoiding math—can sap the brain’s limited amount of working capacity, a resource needed to compute difficult math problems.

Mark Ashcroft, psychologist, University of Nevada

Math Anxiety

Most of us suffer from math anxiety at one time or another.

In our workshop we want to discuss:

• What are the symptoms of math anxiety?

• Where and when did we acquire math anxiety?

• How can we overcome it?

Physical Symptoms• queasy stomach, butterflies • clammy hands and feet• increased or irregular heartbeat• muscle tension• clenched fists• tight shoulders• feeling faint• shortness of breath• headache• shakiness• dry mouth• cold sweat• excessive perspiration

Psychological Symptoms

• negative self-talk• panic or fear• worry and apprehension• desire to flee the situation • a feeling of helplessness• inability to cope• mental disorganization• incoherent thinking• feelings of failure or worthlessness• extreme tension and nervousness• inability to recall material studied

How did I get this way?????

Take a few minutes to begin your

Math Autobiography.

The last math course I took was _____________________

Describe an early experience in a math class ___________________________________________

One math teacher I remember is_______________________

My family’s attitude toward math was___________________

I think I learned my present attitude toward math when_____________

How did I get this way?????

Previous negative classroom experiences:

• time limits• the right answer • speed in getting the answer • competition among students • working in isolation• memorization rather than understanding• poor relationship with teacher

How did I get this way?????

Gender Stereotyping

As recently as 1992, teen talk Barbie put her foot in her mouth when she was programmed to say: “Math class is tough”. Mattel was forced to delete this phrase as educators and women’s groups complained.

Two math professors at Marymount College protested a 1991 “Luann” comic strip where she gives up on her math homework feeling “stupid, frustrated, and sick to my stomach”.

How did I get this way?????

Pressure from parents and/or classmates

How did I get this way?????

Belief in MATH myths

• You’re born with a math gene. Either you get it or you don’t.

• It’s much too hard for the average person.

• There’s only one right way to do math.

How did I get this way?????

When one tries to memorize procedures, rules and routines without much understanding, the math is quickly forgotten and panic soon sets in.

How can we manage it?

“Many people label mathematics as hard, when it would be more correct to say that learning mathematics is hard work.” -- Mitchell & Collins

Before Taking A Math Class

• Select a good time of day for YOU—when are you most alert?

• Take a class that meets often—several days a week over a semester.

• Classes that only meet once a week or over only a few weeks can be more difficult.

• Select a math instructor who matches your learning style. Ask other students for a referral.

During Math Class• Attend all classes. Missing one class can affect

your learning.• Stay current—do your homework on time.• Be BOLD—sit near the front. You will be able to

concentrate better.• Take COMPLETE class notes. Successful students

take 64% more notes than unsuccessful students.• Give yourself TIME. You have the right to learn at

your own pace.

Math study tips

• Learn the method of the problem and practice, practice, practice!

• Use timed practice quizzes so you can feel more confident when taking the test.

Math study tips

• Ask at Learning Resource Center for “retired” tests with answer sheets.

• Try to explain the problem out loud or “teach” the method to someone else.

During the test…………….

• As soon as you receive the test, do a “memory dump” and write all the formulas on the back of the test.

• Scan the test to see the number of questions to get an idea of how much time is needed for each question.

During the test…………….

• Start with the problems you know.

• Be sure to show all your work so that the professor will know your method of thinking when solving the problem.

After the test…………….

• Make sure you are aware of all the problems you missed and why you missed them.

• Did you make the same mistake repeatedly?

• If necessary, meet with the professor and don’t leave until you understand the correct process.

Maintain A Positive Attitude

Overcome negative attitudes by using positive affirmations. Which of these might help you to reframe your thoughts about math?

• I’m becoming a good math student.• I’m capable of learning math.• I remember more math every day.• I can understand math if I give myself a chance.• My way of doing math is a good one.• I’m feeling better about math.• Math methods help me solve every day problems.

What are some other positive affirmations about math?

Overcoming Math Anxiety

• Have a positive attitude.

• Ask questions.• PRACTICE.• Get a tutor or join a

study group.• Be persistent.

What will you do next?

Finish your Math Autobiography now

To improve my math attitude, I will__________________________

To improve my performance in math, I will ________________________________________.

Learning math will help me in the future by_____________________________

References

Haralson, Kay. Math Anxiety: Myth or Monster? www.apsu.edu/haralsonk

Lawhorn, Kathy, Math Instructor, Wallace Community College PATHWAYS Program, January, 2000

www.wallace.edu/student_resources/pathways/presentations/MathAnxietyWSInd.pps –

Philipps, Dave. Math Fear. 12 Oct 2006. www.news-press.com

Russell, Deb. Math Anxiety. http://math.about.com/od/reference/a/anxiety.htm

Steenhuysen, Julie, Math Anxiety Saps Working Memory Needed to Do Math.

20 Feb 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN1736444120070220

Tobias, Sheila. Overcoming Math Anxiety. New York, NY: W.W.Norton, 1993.

Zaslavsky, Claudia. Fear of Math. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1994