Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Mathophobia
Mathophobia is a very common thing among most students, whether they're in elementary, middle, high school or even college. To a lot of students, math is a very tricky subject that is hard to overcome if you don't put the right amount of focus in. I believe mathophobia is something that I have, and I've had it probably since middle school. Math is definitely my weakest subject and it always depended on the teacher I had in each grade that either helped or hindered my struggle. Middle school was probably where my math career started to fail. I was seated in the back of the class most of the time and the teachers I had didn't necessarily help me if I had certain problems. Also, I used to be shy so I would feel awkward raising my hand to ask questions if I was having trouble with a topic. When I got to high school I started to do a little better in math because my freshman year I had a very helpful teacher who pushed me to try my hardest and pass the final at the end of the year. After that I ended up taking trigonometry for two years in a row because I failed it the first year. I also didn't do so well for the finals and I was always very frustrated because I could never do anything right in math. It brought my entire average down to a 70 two years in a row and I didn't think it was fair that only one subject could do that. But college math courses have made me realize that basically in order to do well in the class, you need to be on time and have a decent attendance, otherwise you'll have a hard time staying on task. Being that math was my hardest subject to learn, I definitely would like to make it my easiest subject to teach to my students. I just need to stay on task and get all my work done, and most of all pay attention in class and ask any questions I need to.
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You mention some really good points Meghan! When I was writing my blog on mathophobia I too took into account my teachers and how their teaching style, or lack there of, influenced how I learned. However, one thing I never thought of was a student’s position in class relative to the teacher. Where you sit in the class plays a big role in how you learn especially in middle school. Most of the time students are placed in their seats based on alphabetical order. I wonder if any studies have tested for a relation between the two. You also mention how you were shy. I can definitely relate. In elementary/middle school I was known to be very shy. I hated sitting close to the teacher because he/she would make eye contact with me and most likely call on me during class. Math has always been somewhat nerve-racking. What if the teacher calls on me? What if I don’t know the answer? What if I say something stupid? What if people laugh and think I’m stupid? In no other subject did I feel less sure, and more insecure than in math. Good post Meghan!
ReplyDeleteI agree that a student's position in the classroom can effect their ability to learn. Some students sit in the back of the classroom because the teacher has a predetermined seating arrangement, and others choose to sit there most likely because they are shy. If a student is sitting in the back row, is shy, and is having a hard time with an assignment, they are less likely to raise their hand for help and the teacher is less likely to notice them in the back of the room struggling.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if classroom seating wasn't arranged in long, straight rows where some students are right up in front with the closest access to everything going on, while others are stuck in the back trying to see around everyone else, students would learn better. If seats were arranged in small groups throughout the room the teacher might also be likely to walk around during the lesson observing all of the students and their progress.
I think it's wonderful Meghan that you want to take your experience as a student and make math easier for your future students. Students should feel like they have the ability to receive help without feeling intimidated about asking for it.
Hello, Meghan!
ReplyDeleteIt is very true about students that are not seated up front in the classroom are less likely to catch everything beeing said.I did test myself last semester. I sat in the back row of the classroom and noticed that I missed most of the iformation needed to solve problems. I like your'e idea about making math easier for future students.Great post Meghan- Best of luck!
Meghan,
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are talking about when you mention feeling awkward about raising your hand in class. I had the problem where one kid in my class would always laugh at me if I gave the wrong answer and make fun of me and this contributed to me being shy all through high school. I never had that teacher to push me through high school. If I wanted to do well I had to push myself and the teachers were no help because they weren't all that nice so I didn't want to go in for extra help. Your post was great and really relatable!
Middle school was also the same time that my math career went down hill. I felt the same exact way about raising my hand and asking questions. I always felt that other people were going to make fun of me because I didn't know what I was doing. Eventually I just got over that fear which made me a way better math student.
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