How to Learn Math Do you think you can get smarter?

Question for students (and parents):
Do you think you can get smarter?

I ask this of my college students and at the end of the semester about 1/2 of them say "yes"
We think IQ is fixed when it is actually malleable.  This attitude may not take a learning disabled student to an Ivy League university just like some people are not likely to play professional basketball. But if you throw 100 free throws every day you will improve and if you do Math every day, you will also improve!

https://class.stanford.edu/courses/Education/EDUC115N/How_to_Learn_Math/about

Flow, Long-Term Goals and Stress Management

While being immersed in any kind of flow state (where time evaporates) is desirable, those with long-term goals seem to be the most fulfilling. Studying technical content like Math can be so absorbing that time and mind disappear making the 'problem at hand' more pressing and pleasing than any other problem one may have.

It would be interesting for mental health professionals to recommend brain fitness exercises as a stress management strategy.

Brain Fitness for Success Link

Brain Fitness for Success at the College Board Forum 2009
http://www.collegeboard.com/events/forum/2009/homepage/index.html
Forum 2009: Education and the American Future
New York City October 21-23, 2009

While students would like relevant content, they often view the classic high school math curriculum (algebra, geometry, trigonometry) as the least applicable topics of their courses. However, quantitative reasoning can improve metacognition (thinking about thinking) and is an excellent way to boost knowledge and skills. Participants will discuss the concept of brain fitness, with special attention to how math can enhance critical thinking, problem solving and confidence. Participants will develop strategies and identify opportunities to implement the brain fitness perspective to foster student commitment and to improve their college access and success.
Speaker(s): Robin Schwartz, Adjunct Professor, College of Mount Saint Vincent; Founder, Math Confidence, New York

Brain Fitness for Success at College Board Forum

Title: Brain Fitness for Success
Description: While students would like relevant content, they often view the classic high school math curriculum (algebra, geometry, trig) as the least applicable topics of their courses. However, quantitative reasoning can improve metacognition (thinking about thinking) and is an excellent way to boost knowledge and skills. Participants will discuss the concept of “brain fitness,” with special attention to how math can enhance critical thinking, problem solving and confidence. Participants will develop strategies and identify opportunities to implement the “brain fitness” perspective to foster student commitment and to improve their college access and success.

Presenter: Robin Schwartz, Adjunct Professor, College of Mount St Vincent; Founder, Math Confidence, New York
Thursday 10/22/09, New York City

College Board's Forum 2009: Education and the American Future
New York City October 21-23, 2009

Take Away the Stress, Multiply the Fun, Divide and Conquer

The print ad says "Add KENKEN, Take Away the Stress, Multiply the Fun, Divide and Conquer

Brain Fitness for $9.95 ;)
http://www.kenken.com/

Math helps with brain processing and speed

I often ask students to think about their thinking (metacognition).
Math helps the hamster in your head run faster.
This is a great metaphor for the brain fitness that Math inspires.

Great fast hamsters in this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXRH50fvHWA

Sigh...it's still not cool to be smart

Brain fitness has yet to catch on -- it is still not cool to be smart!!
Please see the NYT article (4/29/09)

“Where we see the gap narrowing, that’s because there’s been an emphasis on supplemental education, on after-school programs that encourage students to read more and do more math problems,” Dr. Hrabowski said. “Where there are programs that encourage that additional work, students of color do the work and their performance improves and the gap narrows.”
But he said that educators and parents pushing children to higher achievement often find themselves swimming against a tide of popular culture.
“Even middle-class students are unfortunately influenced by the culture that says it’s simply not cool for students to be smart,” he said. “And that is a factor here in these math and reading scores.”

Brain Fitness for Academic, Professional and Personal Success

Proposal for College Board's Forum 2009 Part 1

To break the barriers of college access and success, we need to promote intellectualism by reshaping the view of brain fitness and putting it on par with physical fitness.

Participants will exchange ideas on motivation, instructional strategies and confidence-building with an emphasis on critical thinking and Math.

'Formal' Brain Fitness and/or Math

These links connect to brain fitness.
So do Algebra, SAT Prep and Decimals ;)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alvaro-fernandez/top-11-books-for-brain-he_b_157062.html

http://www.brainrules.net/the-rules
http://www.lumosity.com/info/company/about

Response to NYT Rewards for Students: Brain Fitness

While money (or other incentives) can work in some cases, there are inherent rewards in a “honest day’s work”. Effort (whether put forth in a classroom, an office or a kitchen) is a key ingredient for self-esteem, character building and success. Engaging the disengaged is a challenging task. Another tool may be to publicize the benefits of “brain fitness” thereby improving the PR of some subjects (such as Math).

Math Confidence's Perspective of Math as a "Life Skill":
Strengthens critical thinking and reasoning skills
Broadens career and educational choices
Instills values of discipline and excellence
Improves self-awareness, focus and attention
Builds confidence for academic, professional and personal success

SAT as a Predictor? Indicator? Brain Fitness?

In this article, the author (age >40) elaborates on her recent SAT and points out that the scores are just one part of the admissions process. However, it is important to note that some fields of study use the SAT as a measure of 'keeping up with the Joneses'. Engineering schools want high Math scores (to follow along with profs who write a dozen equations on the board); likewise, journalism schools want high verbal scores.

Because grades are subjective, the SAT is a broader indicator. Due to the absence of a national curriculum, we can think of the SAT as a unifier for a reasonable body of knowledge for high schoolers.

Studying for the SAT (or any test) can promote brain fitness at any age ;)

The SAT Question of the Day…price: free!!

The SAT Q of the D is short , sweet and wallet-friendly as well as fun for brain fitness at any age (I have learned a LOT of grammar!!). Sadly, only 1 out of every 3 is Math (the other 2 out of every 3 is Verbal…sigh).
You get immediate feedback upon clicking your answer along with a pie chart showing how respondents have scored and the question's difficulty level.

A workout at the gym increases physical fitness...
The SAT Q of the D improves mental fitness.