THE CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF MATH ANXIETY

Is it really hard to deal with mathematics? Well, as far as know, there are people specially students who find mathematics really hard and made them anxious and depressed? Why do students hate this subject? What it math anxiety?


Mathematics is one of the subjects that I like. Based on my experiences dealing with it, I find it so interesting and very convenient. I experienced having a hard time solving mathematical problems and equations that made my head aches because I find that difficult to be solved. Mathematics causes anxiety to people who find it as a difficult subject but in my case I could say that even people are good in this subject, they also became anxious every time they had a hard time. For me I find mathematics as an important subject even though it may even break my mind solving and memorizing some formulas. If people really wants to understand it, I know that they will find it useful in their everyday life.

I think it is relevant to say to say that we must put our efforts on anything in order to have a great time. 

I found an article in this site mathgoodies which may help us to know if we have gone experience these as we challenge ourselves into mathematics.

According to Sheila Tobias: "math anxiety as feelings of tension and anxiety that interfere with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in a wide variety of ordinary life and academic situations." Having this kind of anxiety may lead to the hates and dislikes of people against mathematics. Research also confirms that risk of embarrassment and time pressured tests have been recognized as sources of unproductive tension among the students. For me I think, we can not avoid these because this tests our abilities, patience and understanding the topic. 

The author of this article Marilyn Curtain-Phillips mentioned three practices which are parts of the traditional mathematics classroom and cause anxiety to students are imposed: "authority, public exposure, and time deadlines." Therefore relative to these I think, there will be a need to improve teaching strategies or methods of teacher in order to lessen this math anxiety thing. One way also to prevent it is that teachers should give more consultations and concrete examples on topics related to Mathematics in order to reduce anxiety among the students inside their classrooms.

Spikell said that,"studies have shown students learn best when they are active rather than to those who are passive learners I think its because active students learn to practically try to solved certain problems and they will know if they have mistakes and in order that it would be corrected." 

The articles also stated the theory of multiple intelligence addresses the different learning styles. It says that lessons should be presented in variety of ways such as presenting it in visual/spatial, logical/mathematics, musical, body/kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal and verbal/linguistic. These are very relevant in order tat students should not find hard time studying some lesson or memorizing things and they can also see and ask question if they don't understand some parts of the teaching materials.

Even though students have negative experiences on math class, they must continue to understand these concepts because I think people can live in a corporate world without it. Because math is really associated with pain and frustration but math must be looked upon its positive image or light in order that anxiety will be reduced among students and learners. A person's state of mind has great influence on his/her success and with all this tension, math rumor is greatly needed in the workplace as what the author said.

In conclusion, math anxiety is very real and is occurring among thousands of people all over the world. Too much of it happens everyday in classrooms because of the lack of consideration of the different learning styles of the students as well as the different teaching methods by the teachers. Students must look at it as a challenging subjects in order to success and conquer the anxiety caused by mathematics. If you really understand mathematics, you will have a great time enjoying things and learn as much learning you can get but remember that anxiety is always there for you if you find it hard dealing with the rounding numbers. The success of the students is on the hands of the teachers and the work of each students to mathematics.