Teacher/Student Interviews

TEACHING AND LEARNING MATHEMATICS

It is well known that good teachers love the subject they are teaching.  On the other hand, if you as the teacher feel negative towards mathematics, it may show up when you are teaching your students and can affect them similarly.  Little children usually like numbers and math - yet many kids in schools develop 'math anxiety or phobia' or end up disliking math.  A major factor in that is the way math is taught and the way the teachers feel about math.

We have been to a Senior Secondary School, and asked several questions to both math’s teachers and students. The results were not that surprising. After interviewing several students, we found that most of them do not like mathematics and find it boring. By analyzing different students, we realized that they want to be taught by instrumental way. However, they want to understand purpose of math they are studying. They could not relate the purpose of learning math other than measuring, estimating the bills. Even when they are asked that what they want to change in curriculum, their answer was that want math which can be used in daily life. Therefore, the students might get more motivated if she/he knows where all maths is needed.  So many times kids question the needfulness of things they study.  Emphasizing and pointing out the everyday applications of math may help them. Even when they are asked that what they want to change in curriculum, their answer was that want math which can be used in daily life.

Also, students prefer hands on learning rather than lecture method. They like teachers who involve activities in their lessons. One student said that she wants math more hands on which means that they want more activity oriented curriculum. Thus, by including different activities in class we can motivate students.

We had a chance to interview and observe secondary mathematics teacher in a class. Students were taking interest and paying attention to what they were taught.  We talked about her teaching strategies. She told us that  one very important factor in motivating students to study math is that you yourself, as the teacher, stay positive about math - if possible, enthusiastic! .

Secondly, we need to get the student involved!  One of the reasons for math anxiety is the way math is often taught as "There is only ONE way to do this, and you need to do learn it and do it right."  Math is presented as 'given from above'.  Students can be much more motivated if they are asked open questions, involved in the development of concepts, given very open-ended exercises.  Granted, this kind of teaching style may require a lot of planning from the teacher, probably a good understanding in math, and good materials.

Thirdly, the teacher should not put a wrong answer down.  Instead, say, "Please can you explain how you came up with that?"  In a classroom, a teacher can ask, "Did someone else get the same result as you? OK. Did somebody get a different result? OK, we have two (or three) different answers here. Let's figure them out."  Wrong answers are valuable.  You get insight into student's thinking and where he went wrong, and what needs a rethought.  Students and kids need to be treated as humans and not feel put down or stupid for their answers.

Last but not least,take the emphasis off from tests.  Tests are a part of school but they don't need to be the ultimate goal.  She told us that, she returns the quizzes back to students and ask them to do the corrections. The goal is to learn math so the child can use it in her life. 
IT’S THE ATTITUDE NOT THE APTITUDE THAT DECIDE THE ALTITUDE OF YOUR SUCCESS.