Have you ever asked yourself the question “Why is Math so stressful?” For many students, mathematics is a hard nut to crack.
The repercussions of this condition for learning are long-lasting and do not fade away with age. Listed here is everything you need to know about mathematics anxiety, as well as surprising ways to beat anxiety:
What is Mathematics Anxiety?
Mathematics anxiety in brevity is a condition in which people suffer unsound phobia for mathematics to the point that it makes their thinking paralyzed and inadequate to learn or be in congenial with the subject. As a result of anxiety, the working memory which is so critical for mathematical thinking is impeded.
In stressful situations, Students struggle with “thinking straight” in addressing even the most elementary polynomial math problems. Math anxiety is not okay for Individuals/Students.
It oozes out Math stress and it is important to know how to avoid this stress at all costs in the subject’s topics and in solving polynomial word problems with solutions.
For example, even though a student knows how to proffer polynomial answers to such equations as 3×2 -2x-10; in finding x, anxiety will make such a student mix it up even though he/she has the required knowledge.
How to spot students with mathematics anxiety
It’s common for instructors and parents to notice visible signs of math anxiety in Students who exhibit the following:
- always whimper and gets or becomes emotional while solving mathematics problem
- gets frightened during scheduled mathematics examinations or tests
- become overwhelmed and puzzled by simple math questions, regardless of their degree of ability
- snub or refuse math homework.
Methods for Reducing Math Anxiety
- Adopting mixed-ability grouping
- Introducing fun into Math
- Giving positive feedback
- Consulting math books
- Getting an Expert
- Ruling out memorization
- Answering questions in steps
1. Adopting mixed-ability grouping
This approach involves assembling a team of students with a wide range of abilities. When it comes to successful teaching methods, the Education Review Office determined that mixed-ability grouping was highly beneficial.
Students in lesser classes may suffer if they are not placed in groups based on their ability. Furthermore, their negative perceptions of arithmetic and limited exposure to the curriculum are reinforced by this sort of exclusivity.
2. Introducing fun into Math
Math games for kids are becoming increasingly popular in education as a way to engage their students. In addition, they are able to make Math enjoyable for Students and encourage them to improve their abilities in the course.
A game-based approach to learning can help students understand that failure is not a bad thing, but rather a sign that they need to put more effort into mastering the subject matter at hand.
3. Giving positive feedback
A few words of support can have a huge impact on a child. Students had to perform mental math to solve fraction problems while holding a heart rate monitor following a negative, positive, or neutral form of feedback.
As a whole, the study found that students who received positive encouragement had better grades. Researchers showed that students in their academic like positive feedback, it also motivates them in assignment completion.
4. Consulting math books
Using an app called Bedtime Math, Beilock and her team investigated parents who used the app would impact their 1st grader’s ability. They would ask their children questions about the subject of the story, do some easy addition, or solve some math word problems.
5. Getting an Expert
Getting a Mathematics expert for Students in their education will speed up the learning activities in a less burdening way, therefore, reducing mathematics anxiety. The Experts will be equipped with effective teaching method.
6. Ruling out memorization
Memorization in Mathematics does not in any way helps in learning; it only makes the learning process more tedious as there are several formulas needed in solving different calculations. Therefore, memorization should be ruled out and replaced with understanding.
7. Answering questions in steps
Math anxiety is exacerbated by pupils’ desire to get an answer right away. Teachers who give pupils less than ten seconds to consider questions and construct solutions are failing to foster critical thinking and achievement.
The questions should be given time through answering in steps to arrive at the answer. If this is implemented, it will reduce anxiety which will be fueled by the urge to quickly find an answer to the question.
Conclusion
Math anxiety is an issue that affects students’ education long into adulthood and has a direct effect on them.
Schools are still grappling with pervasive underachievement, which has both immediate and long-term ramifications for the students who are affected.
However, employing the methods aforementioned for reducing math anxiety will be beneficial. Begin implementing them and watch as Students transition from math anxiety to math excitement.
