Math Education Resources

When I sit down with a student who becomes desperately anxious at the thought of doing math, I’m able to be compassionate (which is critical for gaining the student’s trust) and also to see a way out of the negative feedback loop. Each student is different, but there are some repeating themes that come up more often than not when I help students who don’t like math. First, I find that it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has to love math or excel at math- but that a fundamental competency is possible for nearly everyone and will open doors in a wide variety of fields. Next, I think that it is very important to retreat to the last relevant topic where a student achieved mastery, and proceed from there (i.e., if a student is having trouble with algebraic fractions, it may be necessary to backtrack all the way to the idea of what a fraction actually is, review simple arithmetic fractions, then more complex arithmetic fractions, before finally returning to the topic of algebraic fractions). Finally, it is absolutely critical to underscore that math is not effortless- students who appear to “just know everything” almost always study more than their peers and their classmates assume they do.

It is ironic that I once vowed to avoid math lessons at all costs, but I now make my living largely by teaching math. Not only that, but I enjoy it. I think my story is a useful one because it demonstrates that early discomfort with a subject does not have to be the end of things- there is always an opportunity for a second chance.

The mere thought of having to take a required calculus course is enough to make legions of students break out in a cold sweat. Others who have no intention of ever studying the subject have this notion that calculus is impossibly difficult unless you happen to be a direct descendant of Einstein.

Well, the good news is that you can master calculus. It’s not nearly as tough as its mystique would lead you to think. Much of calculus is really just very advanced algebra, geometry, and trig. It builds upon and is a logical extension of those subjects. If you can do algebra, geometry, and trig, you can do calculus.

Calculus For Dummies is intended students taking their first calculus course. If you’re enrolled in a calculus course and you find your textbook less than crystal clear, this is the book for you. It covers the most important topics in the first year of calculus: differentiation, integration, and infinite series.

Preparation to learn calculus should involve understanding how to work with polynomials, plane geometry and a good understanding of functions. Calculus basically studies functions on a Cartesian plane that are curved and changing. These functions are represented by nonlinear equations and polynomials and learning to manipulate nonlinear equations and polynomials is an important skill. These skills are developed during algebra and geometry and put into real application once calculus is reached to be able to study the real world the way it truly exists -in dynamic, kinetic and sometimes chaotic states rather than simple, clean linear ones.

The graphing calculator simply said is a graphing program. The program graphs functions, relations, implicit and explicit, parametric and “straight,” in two and three dimensions.

 A good graphing calculator knows a wide array of mathematical functions already, including all the trig functions. You communicate to the calculator symbolically in equations and formulas.

 Example: Y=mx + b instead of just y= 3x-1. You can even make parameters into sliders and drag to change values.

“If there is a problem you can’t solve, then there is an easier problem you can’t solve: find it.”
- George Polya

Funny but true! George Polya has just told us that there are no easy Math problems when Math is basically all about problem solving. But there are ways to make math problem solving  easy for kids, knowing for a fact that there is more than one way to solve these problems. Kids need to have the chance to devise their own techniques, discover their own shortcuts to solving a problem, derive their own formulas or algorithms and apply the correct solution/s in the process.

One way to help kids get the hang of problem solving is having them involved in daily activities where they have to solve Math problems. Kids should be able to provide the solution to these problems and at the same time be able to explain how and why their solution works. This is teaching them how to define the parameters of the problems given to them and enhances their reasoning ability while devising solution/s to the problems presented to them.

A math game is a computer game which is dedicated to the subject of mathematics and hence features games which encompasses common mathematical topics like real world math problem solving and spirographs.

Mathematics is one of the core subjects in school which is not only a mandatory subject but also an important one since it is through this subject that children get a deep insight into the world of numbers and gradually develop an understanding pertaining to it. Since it is different from other subjects in terms of concepts and logic, children often find it difficult to grasp and understand and furthermore refuse to practice due to the skull-duggery involved. It is with the intention of converting this boredom into fun that the math game has been designed so that it can be utilized for encouraging kids to learn math in an interesting manner which would not only keep them engrossed but clarify and strengthen their fundamentals as well.

Unrealized by many, mathematical skills are necessary to fully hone the potentials of our minds. On the most basic level of analysis, mathematics sharpen our *critical thinking skills.

Concepts like postulates, axioms, and integrals are designed to challenge the functional structures of our minds to solve analytical problems, from the simplest to the most complex ones.

Mind draining as it is, mathematical concepts and theories test our mental abilities in terms of logic and sound judgment. Being subjected to excruciating math problems helps us realize the immeasurable horizon of our powerful mind.

The rationale of the complexities involved in utilizing the ideal and most appropriate problem solving strategy to arrive at the right answer, or at least, the one closest to it, extend beyond the completion of educational requirements. The end goal of requiring us all to learn math is to make each and one of us a better human being.

“Numbers are the highest degree of knowledge. It is knowledge itself.” -Plato.  As the quote elucidates, knowledge sits on the shoulders of numbers.

Whenever I encounter a quote like this, particularly when the source is as renowned as that of the likes of Plato, I sit back and muse smugly that I hit the nail on the head many years ago when I realized that numbers were indeed the highest degree of knowledge.

Extrapolating from this realization, we can say with certainty then that learning to work with numbers as through math tricks and such-that is, getting an inner feel for all their intricacies and richness-will produce extraordinary results in the education of any man, woman, or child.

Math games help individuals conquer their fear of the said subject and properly understand and appreciate certain topics related to it. This source of education and entertainment comes in a number of forms and classifications.

Most people regard mathematics as a difficult and even a feared subject. And common images of looming complex formulas and large numbers make certain persons shy away from the said body of knowledge. But nevertheless, whether we like it or not, math is an integral part of our lives and we need to learn at least its basics and fundamentals. Hence, if you wish to study mathematics, but you are looking for a more fun and understandable way to absorb and digest its topics, what is a good way to get started?

A possible way to learn math is by acquiring one of the math games designed by experts in the said science. These are products that help you understand a specific mathematical concept and subsequently test your knowledge and skills on the said topic, all in an entertaining and a thought-provoking manner. Similar to other educational products, math games come in various forms. First are the traditional math books that consist mainly of games. Most of these math games have colorful images and easy-to-follow instructions and are available in different levels of difficulty. Puzzles and graphical quizzes are normally found within these books, and they usually contain an answer sheet found at their final pages that you can refer to after completing the games. Common sources of these math games are bookstores and libraries.

I have been reading about accelerated, or gifted, math programs that only seek to advance a student 2 years by junior high. Some articles claim that even this is too much, and the students are being accelerated into incompetence. I disagree.

I have found that students, working one on one with me, can move much faster than this. One of the keys to rapid progress is not letting the student know how fast they are moving through material, or what it is they are learning. This sounds like Public School, but I am talking about something entirely different.

All students must learn the four basic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This is a given, but how they are taught can make a huge difference. Teach that subtraction is an extension of addition, and show that they can indeed add a negative number. Then teach multiplication as multiple addition, and division as multiple subtraction.

By showing them that these four functions are extensions of addition, they will have an understanding beyond other students, and connect these functions in their minds in a way that will be a powerful asset later.

With the four basic functions established, you can start teaching them about these basics in more depth and detail. What is that you ask? How about algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and even calculus. All of these are built on the basic functions, and can be taught as extensions of the basics. The students, third grade and higher, can do this and really can learn Calculus.