Student Support Services Math Anxiety Workshop

Student Support Services Math Anxiety Workshop

Do you feel that math anxiety is--Do you feel that math anxiety is--

--limiting your progress?--limiting your progress?

--’boxing’ you in?--’boxing’ you in?

Use this workshop to help yourself overcome Math Anxiety. If you have any questions, please talk to us in Student Support Services.

Designed by Kathy Lawhorn, Instructional Coordinator, Student Support Services

Do you have Math Anxiety ?A Self TestDo you have Math Anxiety ?A Self Test

Rate your answers from 1 to 5; add them up and check the key below. Rate your answers from 1 to 5; add them up and check the key below. (1) = Disagree, (1) = Disagree, (5) = Agree(5) = Agree (page 1 of handout)(page 1 of handout)

1. I hate math class1. I hate math class 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 52. Math is not so tough now; but, it is going to get really hard soon.2. Math is not so tough now; but, it is going to get really hard soon. 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 53. I tune out in math class. I do not mean to do it -it just happens.3. I tune out in math class. I do not mean to do it -it just happens. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 4. I do not really like asking my math teacher questions.4. I do not really like asking my math teacher questions. 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 55. I panic when called on in math class.5. I panic when called on in math class. 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 56. I worry much more about math tests than any other kind.6. I worry much more about math tests than any other kind. 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 57. I cannot wait until I don’t have to take any more math.7. I cannot wait until I don’t have to take any more math. 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5

Scoring key:Scoring key:28-35 28-35 Yep! You have got it.Yep! You have got it.21-2721-27 Not exactly comfortable with math, huh? Not exactly comfortable with math, huh?14-20 14-20 Hanging loose. Hanging loose. 7- 137- 13 Whew! Cool as a cucumber! Whew! Cool as a cucumber!

(from http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Quad/4392/anxtest.htm)(from http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Quad/4392/anxtest.htm)

Math Anxiety WorkshopMath Anxiety Workshop

Most of us suffer from Math Anxiety at one Most of us suffer from Math Anxiety at one time or another. time or another.

In our workshop we want to discuss: In our workshop we want to discuss:

What is math anxiety?What is math anxiety?

How is it developed?How is it developed?

Why do we need to learn to manage it?Why do we need to learn to manage it?

How can you learn to manage it?How can you learn to manage it?

Math Anxiety: A vicious circleMath Anxiety: A vicious circle

By the time we reach college, our math anxiety often has its roots in our By the time we reach college, our math anxiety often has its roots in our previous math experiences. We had a “bad” math class or a teacher that we previous math experiences. We had a “bad” math class or a teacher that we did not get along with and this started a negative spiral.did not get along with and this started a negative spiral.

We became apprehensive about math. Maybe we even began We became apprehensive about math. Maybe we even began having physical symptoms such as: increased heartbeat or breathing, tense having physical symptoms such as: increased heartbeat or breathing, tense muscles,muscles,

upset stomach, or increased perspiration. upset stomach, or increased perspiration.

Often we compound our problem by getting into a habit of negative Often we compound our problem by getting into a habit of negative self-talk. These negative thoughts cause us to lose focus and concentration --self-talk. These negative thoughts cause us to lose focus and concentration --both necessary for doing well in math. Remember the “Little Engine That both necessary for doing well in math. Remember the “Little Engine That Could”; if we think we can, we can.Could”; if we think we can, we can.

““Math Myths” sometimes influence our expectations. Math Myths” sometimes influence our expectations.

Math Anxiety: Is it healthy?Math Anxiety: Is it healthy?

Too much of most things will make us sick and unable to function. Math AnxietyToo much of most things will make us sick and unable to function. Math Anxiety

is the same. It can paralyze us and keep us from reaching our goals. But on theis the same. It can paralyze us and keep us from reaching our goals. But on the

other hand other hand somesome anxiety keeps us from becoming complacent. It keeps us on our anxiety keeps us from becoming complacent. It keeps us on our

toes, makes us be more alert and helps us function at our best.toes, makes us be more alert and helps us function at our best.

Too much anxiety! Too much anxiety!

Just enough anxiety-Just enough anxiety-

Alert, functioning, Alert, functioning,

successful!successful!

Math Anxiety: What is at stake?Math Anxiety: What is at stake?

Look through your Wallace College catalog for a Look through your Wallace College catalog for a “Reality Check”“Reality Check”

This shows the math requirements for many This shows the math requirements for many of the degrees and certificates offered at Wallace of the degrees and certificates offered at Wallace and other institutions. No matter how much we and other institutions. No matter how much we wish things were different, math is required for us wish things were different, math is required for us to do the things we want to do.to do the things we want to do.

So, what are So, what are youyou going to do? Give in to going to do? Give in to math anxiety and let it be a stumbling block to math anxiety and let it be a stumbling block to your dream? your dream? OROR view math as an necessary view math as an necessary stepping stone to achieving your dream? stepping stone to achieving your dream?

Math Anxiety: How can we manage it?Math Anxiety: How can we manage it?

Math Anxiety is something that we have to deal with pretty much on our own.Math Anxiety is something that we have to deal with pretty much on our own.

First, we need to acknowledge that we have it.First, we need to acknowledge that we have it.

What was your score on the self test? I assume it was high ifWhat was your score on the self test? I assume it was high if

you have continued with this workshop.you have continued with this workshop.

Next, we need to take responsibility for our math anxiety.Next, we need to take responsibility for our math anxiety.

Are your study habits part of the problem? Are your study habits part of the problem?

Nothing stresses me more than not being prepared.Nothing stresses me more than not being prepared.

Math Anxiety: How can we manage it?Math Anxiety: How can we manage it?

““Attitude determines Altitude” is a poster often seen in classrooms. This is true--Attitude determines Altitude” is a poster often seen in classrooms. This is true--when we think negative thoughts about our abilities, a subject or a teacher - when we think negative thoughts about our abilities, a subject or a teacher - we are taking energy away from learning. we are taking energy away from learning.

We also need to learn to control our physical reactions to stress or anxiety. Articles and books abound on ways to deal with stress. Student Support Services even offers a Stress Reduction Workshop. Exercise is one way

to reduce stress.

Math Anxiety: How can we manage it?Math Anxiety: How can we manage it?

Math Anxiety often most manifests itself at test time. WeMath Anxiety often most manifests itself at test time. We

need some strategies to help us do well on tests. need some strategies to help us do well on tests.

Read these tips over before you take a test.Read these tips over before you take a test.

Review any formulas, procedures, equations you may needReview any formulas, procedures, equations you may need

just before test time.just before test time.

Remember you do not have to do the problems in order. Remember you do not have to do the problems in order.

Read all the problems and do the easy ones first; then worryRead all the problems and do the easy ones first; then worry

over the others.over the others.

Math Anxiety: Math TruthsMath Anxiety: Math Truths

Now let us examine some Math Truths.Now let us examine some Math Truths.

1. Our attitudes often come from other people--our parents, our peers, traditions 1. Our attitudes often come from other people--our parents, our peers, traditions (I especially dislike the one that says boys are better at math than girls). But (I especially dislike the one that says boys are better at math than girls). But in this workshop, we have tried to show that attitudes can be changed to in this workshop, we have tried to show that attitudes can be changed to positive ones.positive ones.

2. Most people are successful at math and use it all the time. Math in school 2. Most people are successful at math and use it all the time. Math in school requires an open mind and a learner’s attitude. Sometimes we have to let gorequires an open mind and a learner’s attitude. Sometimes we have to let goof “the way we have always done it” and learn the way the instructor and of “the way we have always done it” and learn the way the instructor and bookbook want us to do it in order to be successful. Remember math skill does want us to do it in order to be successful. Remember math skill does not not define us; it is a stepping stone to what we really want to do.define us; it is a stepping stone to what we really want to do.

3. Math is a language, a skill and an art-- we would not expect to do well at any 3. Math is a language, a skill and an art-- we would not expect to do well at any of these without practice and perseverance.of these without practice and perseverance.

4. Math is for everyone.4. Math is for everyone.

Math Anxiety: SummaryMath Anxiety: Summary

Now in summary:Now in summary:

YOU are the key toYOU are the key to overcoming yourovercoming your

MATH ANXIETY!MATH ANXIETY!

****AAcknowledge and take Responsibility for yourcknowledge and take Responsibility for your

Math AnxietyMath Anxiety.. Then make a plan for dealing with it.Then make a plan for dealing with it.

****BBe preparede prepared. Learn good study habits.. Learn good study habits.

****LLearn to relaxearn to relax. Pick a technique that you think will work for you and use it.. Pick a technique that you think will work for you and use it.

****EEase into a new attitudease into a new attitude. Visualize yourself doing well in math.. Visualize yourself doing well in math.

YOU are YOU are ABLEABLE to do math! to do math!

Math Anxiety WorkshopMath Anxiety Workshop

This concludes the workshop on Math Anxiety. If you This concludes the workshop on Math Anxiety. If you have any questions, please let us know. If you are have any questions, please let us know. If you are interested in any of the tapes or other workshops interested in any of the tapes or other workshops mentioned in this presentation, ask one of our staff.mentioned in this presentation, ask one of our staff.

Please come by Student Support Services to fill out Please come by Student Support Services to fill out an Academic Enrichment Summary so that we may an Academic Enrichment Summary so that we may document your participation. If you are viewing this document your participation. If you are viewing this workshop via the internet you may click on the link in the workshop via the internet you may click on the link in the directions box on the Workshops page and print one out or directions box on the Workshops page and print one out or e-mail it to: e-mail it to: rcrews@wallace.edu. Handouts available . Handouts available upon request.upon request.

EXIT