Certain words, when uttered before students, wield significant power. These word

Question

Certain words, when uttered before students, wield significant power. These words do not discriminate, striking fear in the hearts of even the most academically astute. Fail, essay exam, and research paper are such words. They pale in comparison, however, to the one word that induces nausea, cold sweat, and rapid heartbeat in students nationwide. What is that one word, mighty in clout and unyielding in power? Math.

I have taught Algebra I at the high school and college levels for more than 10 years, and in my experience, I have found that most students have dealt with some level of fear when it comes to math, particularly algebra and higher.

At the beginning of every new term, I ask a series of questions to gauge where my students are regarding math, including: Who of you tried to change your schedule when you saw that you had to take math? Who of you groaned or became upset when you saw math on your schedule? Who of you have put off math until you absolutely had to take it?

It is safe to say that in almost every class I’ve taught, the majority of students raised their hands to one of these questions. But why? Why is there such animosity toward math?

Math anxiety is a fairly common term in academic circles. In short, math anxiety is any form of anxiety that results from mathematics. The students who raise their hands to my questions all exhibit some form of math anxiety.

In this discussion forum, I want you to discuss the following about math anxiety:

• How do you define math anxiety?
• What are some causes of math anxiety?
• What are some tips for overcoming math anxiety?
• In your opinion, is math anxiety real, or is it imagined?

Support your answer.

You are encouraged to reference a minimum of two sources to inform your work in this post. You must write in complete sentences, and your post must contain a minimum of 300 words.

Explanation / Answer

Lack of proper teaching during secondary and higher school is the basic reason for math anxiety. Today's competitive world demands quick response which forces coaching institutes to use shortcuts. Most of the coaching centres in India, divide students into groups which causes peer pressure. Even in the coaching centres the teaching is inefficient and primarily focuses on answers rather than the procedure involved. Constant tests coupled with comparison among fellow batchmates either has a positive or negative affect but sadly most of the suffer negatively. In recent decades it has become that if one hates biology one must love maths or vice versa. This lead to situation where people after their schooling are forced to either opt for engineering or medicine.

Math anxiety is real. Few people get nightmares thinking of math or even dreadful for few.

Tips to overcome math anxiety:

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