Why does everyone HATE math?

[lhout3040]

     Okay, I have to admit that when I was in high school, I disliked math because it was usually held in a bland room, taught by a retired Navy or Airforce man, and consisted of endless boring lectures and textbook work. And I was not a successful math student. You might as well have been teaching me how to breathe underwater. However, when I started attending college I began to understand math and enjoy it. In fact, I switched from an English Education degree to a Secondary Mathematics degree, and I am currently working towards becoming a high school math teacher. But even at my college, the stigma about math remains. Many of my instructors have at one time or another voiced a blatant dislike of math. Even some of my bachelor's program advisers here at the college joke about how they "steered clear of a career involving math." Buy why? Why does everyone hate math? What can we do to change this mind set? It has been shown that fluency in mathematics improves critical thinking skills which is something I believe we all want to pass on to our students. So what can we do to eliminate this severe loathing of such a fundamental subject as math?

[Adam Waxler]

I don't think everyone hates math...it all depends on how it is taught.  When I  tell adults that I teach social studies I almost always hear, "Oh, I hated social studies...that was my worst subject."  However, if you ask my students most will tell you that it is their favorite subject.  That is because I do not use lecturing as a teaching strategy...instead I try to make it interesting and fun for them to learn.

[flteach]

I agree with Adam.

Math can actually be a great subject to teach as it is easy to make connections to the real world.

[Adam Waxler]

Math can actually be a great subject to teach as it is easy to make connections to the real world.

So true...I do not teach math, but I have been very impressed with my MCC students who plan to teach math as a career.  They are using programs like Unitedstreaming to help make connections to what the students are learning as well as using other strategies I teach in class to keep students actively involved in their lessons.

[nvivirito]

People tend to, I'll say "not like" math once they begin to study past the basics. But I can say after being a machinist for twenty five years, when you SEE math like trig, geometry, etc actually work, on paper, then in you hands, its love at first sight. This is why I what to teach math.  I think that the more concepts are related to real life, the more they can be appreciated. Other things, like calculus, need to be put in a different perspective. I took Calculus I and II about ten ago and I can say I don't remember a thing about it other that it makes no sense. However, the most important lesson which I learned from it, and I believe this can be said about all math courses: it teaches you, or trains your mind how to effectively solve problems.
-Nick

[lkelly]

I look at math like young people look at video games, as soon as you master one it is time to get a new game. That is the great thing about math, you have an endless supply of puzzles!

[DW]

I agree.  Most people just don't like math. I hear a lot of " I hate math" or "I can't do math" all the time.  I believe that foundations are very important in math.  The foundations are usually taught in elementary grades. If you think about what math classes Elementary Teachers take, you may get some information about why the foundations of math are not built like a sturdy high rise.  Elementary teachers only have to take 3 math classes which normally include Algebra, Math for Liberal Arts I & II.  I do believe that Elementary Teachers should be required to take more math classes.  Also, if you look at the CLAST and/or General Knowledge tests, most people, teachers included, have to retake the math portion. 

I think a good math class is one where the teacher shows enthusiasm for the subject, is knowledgable of the subject and relates the information to real world situations.

[Adam Waxler]

I think a good math class is one where the teacher shows enthusiasm for the subject, is knowledgable of the subject and relates the information to real world situations

I agree...that's the formula for creating a good class for any subject.

[lhout3040]

I strongly agree with you there, because I am currently taking Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry both as a once a week night course. My Pre-Calculus class is being taught by the former Department Chair of the Math Program at my college. That class has been so easy for me because the professor knows the subject in and out. He's very in tune to how many students are grasping the material and knows when to spend more time on one section vs. another. And he almost always finds a way to relate to the real world. My Trig class is another story. My professor in that class is a high school adjunct who has never taught a night college course before. Although, he is a retired air force pilot who used to teacher Calculus to air cadets. I know Trig is difficult enough as it is, but I swear that man tries to fit five hours worth of material into two hours. He moves too quickly and never ties in what we are learning to previous knowledge or real world applications. And if someone does not get it the first time around, they are on their own. Three-fourths of the class has dropped out of the course. I'm actually doing pretty well (but that's only because I go to tutoring twice a week and study my buns off)!!! I don't want to knock my Trig teacher too much (after all I too plan to be a high school math teacher one day). But, how can some one with so much experience be such a horrible teacher?

[Adam Waxler]

But, how can some one with so much experience be such a horrible teacher?

Simple...just becasue you are a brain surgeon doesn't mean you can teach brain surgery.

It sounds like your professor doesn't have all that much "practical" teaching experience.  Teaching cadets was probably much different.

[lhout3040]

I think that the more concepts are related to real life, the more they can be appreciated.

I strongly agree with you because I have two math courses right now: one in which the professor constantly relates information to the "real world" and the other in which the professor just goes through the motions. The first is most definitely more engaging and I tend to remember more because I can relate to how it is used throughout everyday life. Once, this professor said, "You can't heat up a hotdog without using complex numbers." And let me tell you, that will stick in my mind forever!

[Hope2Teach]

To quote a tee shirt that I have..... " I'm an English teacher. You do the math".   I had horrible teachers in grade school, high school. I had to take one Math class at the University to obtain my teaching certificate. I knew I was horrible at math. The teacher knew I was horrible at math. BUT....I went to math majors and asked questions...I had them tutor me. But to no avail!  I am a LOST CAUSE!  Because I tried doing extra work and had math majors tutor me, I got a B in the class for just trying.   Thank GOD, I stuck with English.lol