Q: Why take Math?
A: Even nontechnical positions like advertising are appreciating quantitative skills according to the New York Times Ad Companies Face a Widening Talent Gap. The actual Math one learns in school may or may not be used on the job, but the process of learning and doing Math teaches problem solving and critical thinking as well as persistence. These skills are useful in work and in life.
Q. How can people build their Math Confidence?
A: 1. Practice!! Solve Math problems (Math opportunities) including multiple choice as compare/contrast with "good wrong answers" can increase knowledge, skills, attitude and scores!
2. Treat Math exams like athletic events -- prepare by studying but also by eating breakfast, getting a good night's rest and packing up the night before.
3. Embrace Math mistakes! Learning from errors can be challenging emotionally but will improve critical thinking, build confidence and expand educational and career options.
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Q: What are the top factors for success in Math?
A: Here are some top tips for academic success and confidence:
Be prepared and proactive
A review sheet is a gift
Metacognition (raise self-awareness about your thinking)
Attention to Detail (reduce fuzzy errors)
Self-Care (sleep, food, stress management)
Effort expended (the feeling of a job well done)
Q. Are Math facts important?
Some of us from the 1900s remember standing up and reciting facts in class to learn times tables. Very few schools still do this but automaticity of Math facts is advantageous as it builds confidence and speed and makes Math more enjoyable. Although many types of calculators are available on cell phones, there are also Math challenges like
Android App Math Workout and other great tools available likeGreat Fact Practice at Dad's Worksheets , Developing Automaticity with Math Facts from Mrs Russ and FASTTMATH for Automaticity of Math Facts.
Q. Isn't Math just formulas?
1. What is the equation of a line? 2. The slope formula?
3. Circumference of a circle? 4. Area of a circle?
If Math were just formulas then open book exams would be easy!
Many professors of Math and other technical subjects along with the Professional Engineering licensing exam allow open book exams.
A: No, Math is much more than formulas. Applying the formulas is the challenge -- many formulas are tricky (like exponent rules) so examples are best to improve recall. Progress can be made by thinking about and understanding the formulas. For example, volume is three dimensional, therefore, the units will be units cubed such as ft cubed or cm^3. For area , the answer will contain square units and perimeter (or circumference) will be just units.
Q: What are "fuzzy errors"?
A: How much is 2^0? (2 to the zero power) Answer
People often get the incorrect answer due to a lack of focus rather than a lack of understanding. Some common topics that illustrate this idea are: Area vs Perimeter, Exponent Rules, the word "NOT"
and the ubiquitous minus sign mistake.
One excellent way to reduce fuzzy errors is to study multiple choice items that have tempting good wrong answers."Is that your final answer?" is a way to help raise awareness and critical thinking -- it would be great if "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had an Algebra version!
1 comment:
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