Talking aloud while solving problems

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of talking aloud while solving mathematical problems. Participants share personal experiences and opinions regarding its impact on problem-solving, particularly in arithmetic and more advanced mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that talking aloud helps with arithmetic and basic calculations, while others express uncertainty about its effectiveness for higher-level math.
  • One participant notes that talking can help weaker students during exams, implying that it may provide some cognitive support.
  • Several participants mention that pretending to explain problems to someone else can prompt new ideas and approaches when they are stuck.
  • There are mixed feelings about the necessity of verbalizing thoughts; some find it beneficial, while others feel it slows down their thought process, especially in advanced topics.
  • One participant highlights the challenge of explaining their problem-solving process verbally after learning to think without the "talking voice" in their head.
  • Another participant humorously notes the potential social awkwardness of talking aloud in public settings, suggesting a need for discretion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express varied opinions on the effectiveness of talking aloud, with no consensus on its overall benefit for different levels of math. Some find it helpful, while others do not see the same advantages, particularly in advanced mathematics.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention personal experiences and preferences, indicating that the effectiveness of talking aloud may depend on individual learning styles and contexts. There are references to the potential impact of environmental factors, such as background noise.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and educators exploring different problem-solving techniques in mathematics, particularly those considering the role of verbalization in cognitive processes.

Mogarrr
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I'm curious if talking aloud while doing math helps.

I know from experience that it helps with arithmetic and some calculations.

I've tried talking while doing more advanced math, and I'm not sure if I am doing better because I'm talking or because I'm writing at a slower pace, and not my usual speed (I can solve some problems faster than I can speak at times).

I am very right-handed, so I would think I'm left brain dominant. Then again, it's pop-psychology, so who knows?

Any thoughts?
 
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Mogarrr said:
I know from experience that it helps with arithmetic and some calculations.
Yes, I have found this to be the case. If I am trying to do some manipulation (arithmetic or algebra) in my head, it seems to help somewhat. I still make sign errors with about 50% probability. :cry:

I don't find it to help for higher level math. Getting rid of background noise helps, though. And classical music if there's no vocalist.
 
I think it does help, specially when you talk like the famous profs on youtube and make everything sound obvious. Ha.
 
Of course, it might annoy other people in the class!
 
Mogarrr said:
I'm curious if talking aloud while doing math helps.
It can help weaker students in the room attempting the same examination paper, that's why you are forbidden from talking. :smile:

But in a suitable setting, I'm sure it does help you. http://physicsforums.bernhardtmediall.netdna-cdn.com/images/icons/icon14.gif
 
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Interesting that talking helps you do problems faster! When I got to higher math and physics, I had to learn how to turn off the "talking voice" in my head. I needed to think faster than speech.

A downside of learning how to do this was when I would have to verbally explain the "path" I took to solve the problem - that became difficult.
 
lisab said:
Interesting that talking helps you do problems faster! When I got to higher math and physics, I had to learn how to turn off the "talking voice" in my head. I needed to think faster than speech.

A downside of learning how to do this was when I would have to verbally explain the "path" I took to solve the problem - that became difficult.

I've always hard a hard time explaining difficulties/questions verbally. I'm not very concise, and I think I come off as a caveman. I'd like to build up my descriptive math vocabulary.
 
I find talking through many problems out loud helps. Sometimes if I'm really stuck on something I pretend I'm explaining the problem to someone which can prompt new ideas and things to try.
 
Ryan_m_b said:
I find talking through many problems out loud helps. Sometimes if I'm really stuck on something I pretend I'm explaining the problem to someone which can prompt new ideas and things to try.
Sometimes I do that too - it can help me when I'm stuck :smile:. And I try to do it when there's no one hearing me. Don't want anyone to call an ambulance...
 
  • #10
DennisN said:
Sometimes I do that too - it can help me when I'm stuck :smile:. And I try to do it when there's no one hearing me. Don't want anyone to call an ambulance...

Lol, if they did at least there would be more people to explain the problem too :-p I think this method works (at least for me) because it's easy to overlook things. I might be confident that a certain part of the problem has been solved or is of no consequence and whenever I run through options in my head it is skipped over in a flash. By having to explain it in words it means I have to articulate every aspect (which takes time and thought) then speak them aloud (which is slow compared to thinking) which can force a re-examination of certain conclusions.
 
  • #11
Mogarrr said:
I'm curious if talking aloud while doing math helps.

I know from experience that it helps with arithmetic and some calculations.

I've tried talking while doing more advanced math, and I'm not sure if I am doing better because I'm talking or because I'm writing at a slower pace, and not my usual speed (I can solve some problems faster than I can speak at times).

I am very right-handed, so I would think I'm left brain dominant. Then again, it's pop-psychology, so who knows?

Any thoughts?
I would talk, or hum, while doing a problem. If I was in the library, I'd have to whisper.
 

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