Building Confidence in Mathematics

Was erwartet Sie in diesem Kurs?

Abstract

A fear of basic mathematics is widespread among students. This “Maths phobia” begins before university entrance. Many students are trapped in a downward spiral. Because of their fear they avoid the subject as much as possible. This includes an unwillingness to familiarise themselves with concepts via practice.

This carefully designed online course would enable them to ease their fears without the need to confess to others their feelings of inadequacy:

The speed of progress through a concept is relatively slow. We take time to do this and in doing so we can build confidence.

A sense that the concepts being learned are relevant to the world around them. They need examples and illustrations from life. We provide this by providing films from various walks of life, such as student budgeting, playing cards, investing in a degree course, car driving, industrial production etc.

The student is never asked to concentrate on one form of learning for very long. Not only do we build the concepts slowly but we are constantly moving between forms of learning, PowerPoint presentations, talking heads, filmed pieces from industry etc, written pieces and cartoon illustrations of key ideas.

The student needs to be able to check frequently that the concept is understood. For a confident student a test at the end of a chapter is fine but we wish to get the student to check much more often so that they build confidence as they progress through an idea. So, for example, there are many times when we just check one small step in an argument. We also frequently pause during PowerPoint presentations so that the student can reflect on what has been explained.

It has been found that students, particularly uncertain students, learn better with the use of humour. We use humour, particularly with cartoon presentations of key ideas.

Students who are frightened of mathematics are used to thinking in words and in diagrams/pictures. In presenting many of the concepts we begin with words and graphs as a means of introducing them to mathematics. Proceeding from things in which they are confident to things in which they are uncertain is a strong learning tool.

A glossary of terms used is provided at the end of each unit and there is also a master glossary at the end of the course which can be accessed at any time. The master glossary has English terms but there is also a German translation there. This is a further example of reassurance offered to nervous students. It is another way of checking that they understand the concepts.