MHB Why do students struggle with math and word problems?

[mathdad]

Why do you think students fear and struggle so much with math, particularly word problems?

 

[Greg]

That's a broad statement - it's just not true. Some students struggle with word problems. Why? Lack of confidence is one reason. More practice is one remedy.

 

[mathdad]

That's a broad statement - it's just not true. Some students struggle with word problems. Why? Lack of confidence is one reason. More practice is one remedy.

I must disagree. There are students in the NYC public schools, for example, graduating from high school every June who cannot solve linear equations much less applications. Lacking confidence is not the same thing as classroom information just not sinking deep into the mind.

There is another group of students who absolutely love math but just cannot grasp the material after tutoring, video clips, teacher help in the after school program, etc. I blame no one EXCEPT that some minds are simply not made to grasp numbers. Think about it.

 

[MarkFL]

...I blame no one EXCEPT that some minds are simply not made to grasp numbers. Think about it.

I disagree with this...I think it is the societal attitude that it's okay to fail at math that is part of the problem. Someone says to their friends, "I'm so bad at math, I can't even balance my checkbook." People laugh and agree they are the same (it's all Greek to me!) as if they are part of a club, and there is no loss of reputation.

Now, imagine if someone tells their friends, "I am so illiterate, I have trouble reading road signs." People would likely fall awkwardly silent and the speaker would likely decline seriously in the estimation of their friends. There is very little stigma associated with being a complete failure at basic mathematics...yet those who are proficient at elementary mathematics are labeled as "Einsteins" and nerds, etc. by the general public.

I firmly believe that the average person can learn to be proficient in elementary algebra, geometry, and even some of the concepts of the calculus. But, as long as society excuses, in fact even encourages innumeracy, most people have no motivation to change, to make the effort to do what they would be able to do if they would simply apply themselves.

 

[Greg]

I must disagree. There are students in the NYC public schools, for example, graduating from high school every June who cannot solve linear equations much less applications. Lacking confidence is not the same thing as classroom information just not sinking deep into the mind.

There is another group of students who absolutely love math but just cannot grasp the material after tutoring, video clips, teacher help in the after school program, etc. I blame no one EXCEPT that some minds are simply not made to grasp numbers. Think about it.

I disagree. I believe what I wrote is one valid scenario where a student may be "afraid" of word problems, together with one valid remedy. You cannot honestly say that this is not a valid example, can you? The scenario you describe may also exist but I think that every student, excepting "special" cases, is capable of averaging at least 60 to 65 percent in any well-taught math class. You seem given to cynicism - why always focus on the negative aspects of education? We all know what most of the problems are - what are the solutions?

 

[mathdad]

I disagree with this...I think it is the societal attitude that it's okay to fail at math that is part of the problem. Someone says to their friends, "I'm so bad at math, I can't even balance my checkbook." People laugh and agree they are the same (it's all Greek to me!) as if they are part of a club, and there is no loss of reputation.

Now, imagine if someone tells their friends, "I am so illiterate, I have trouble reading road signs." People would likely fall awkwardly silent and the speaker would likely decline seriously in the estimation of their friends. There is very little stigma associated with being a complete failure at basic mathematics...yet those who are proficient at elementary mathematics are labeled as "Einsteins" and nerds, etc. by the general public.

I firmly believe that the average person can learn to be proficient in elementary algebra, geometry, and even some of the concepts of the calculus. But, as long as society excuses, in fact even encourages innumeracy, most people have no motivation to change, to make the effort to do what they would be able to do if they would simply apply themselves.

You know me by now. I am the guy who loves math but continues to struggle with precalculus, not every topic in precalculus, but mainly word problems. Take probability, for example. I think probability word problems are fuzzy in every sense.

I am not talking simple probability. For example: There is a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow. What is the P(no rain tomorrow)? Of course, we both know the answer is 1 - 0.30, right? I am talking about the addition rule and multiplication rules in probability and more advanced applications.

There is NO ONE, I mean NO ONE in your circle of friends that simply loves mathematics as much I do but most word problems, not all, kick my behind every single time. Of course, I am a product of the horrific NYC public school system. This is not an excuse but a reality to thousands of NYC students.

 

[mathdad]

I disagree. I believe what I wrote is one valid scenario where a student may be "afraid" of word problems, together with one valid remedy. You cannot honestly say that this is not a valid example, can you? The scenario you describe may also exist but I think that every student, excepting "special" cases, is capable of averaging at least 60 to 65 percent in any well-taught math class. You seem given to cynicism - why always focus on the negative aspects of education? We all know what most of the problems are - what are the solutions?

1. I am not cynical in any way. I am realistic.

2. Students are "afraid" of word problems for various reasons.

3. I believe that certain students are told by a corrupting school system that they are slow learners or indirectly dumb. If you tell a group of students over and over again that they do not have what it takes to grasp math, they will believe it and fail.

 

[Ackbach]

I think everyone is capable of some capacity with numbers, and should attain what they can. (The same goes for words, of course.) I think some of the problem here is teaching methodologies, and choice of curriculum. The curriculum needs to be pared down considerably, and what remains ought to be hammered to mastery. I think the Trachtenberg Speed System of Arithmetic ought to be taught to everyone. I think word problems should be introduced much earlier, like Singapore Math does. I have lots of ideas, some of them tried (like Trachtenberg in Switzerland with absolutely spectacular results), and some of them completely untried (like teaching the basic facts of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics to elementary-grade students, then the logic of those subjects in middle school, and then applications, heavy-duty problem-solving, and presentations in high school). Lots of people have opinions. I think a lot of it comes down to the teachers, many of whom hate math, and the ridiculous curriculum used in many parts of the world. Finland seems to have a good notion of curriculum.

 

[mathdad]

What about TEACHING THE TEST? Students are bombarded with techniques all day long about how to pass standardized exams but zero to no learning is going on. What do you say?

 

[Ackbach]

What about TEACHING THE TEST? Students are bombarded with techniques all day long about how to pass standardized exams but zero to no learning is going on. What do you say?

I would certainly agree that this is a problem. Standardized tests are only so valuable. Some of them are worth keeping, but it's never worth the teacher's time to teach to the test. If students want to take standardized tests, they can study on their own time.

 

[mathdad]

We have an educational crisis across the USA. High school students reading at the middle school years means something is very wrong.

 

[MarkFL]

We have an educational crisis across the USA. High school students reading at the middle school years means something is very wrong.

If I had to point my finger in anyone direction, it would be at parents.