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?
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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.
2.
3.
4.
Listening to a lecture
Participating in a math class
Working through problems
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
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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:
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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?
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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