Maths Phobia - Causes and Remedies -- By K Bhanumoorthy

                                What is so important about Mathematics Phobia?

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                              - K Bhanumoorthy

                                                                                                              Rtd. Principal , KVS

Let me say what Mathematics is? Maths is a language of pattern. It is a vehicle to train the mind. People think Maths is all about numbers only and equate with “Arithmetic” in minds, of course numbers and Arithmetic are only part of maths. The subject improves logical thinking, reasoning, and a way of rigorous thinking.  Its applications   are applied in our daily life.  One  can  never  think  of  a situation where  mathematics  is not applied,  applied  in  all  branches  of  science, Commerce, Engineering , Sports, Music, Dance , History, geography, literature, religion and so on. It is a pre-requisite for our work.

I have been teaching Mathematics since long.  Students dislike maths, perhaps may not know what mathematics is all about.  It is not, people do not like mathematics; I would say people do not understand Maths.  With due apology, I would like to say ,some if not many humanity faculty  people ( inclusive of  some parents) who proudly  say/talk about how they can’t do mathematics  and  they are quite proud that they don’t understand anything  about  Mathematics.  This could be one of the reasons for the irrational fear in learning mathematics.

Some  kind  of  remedies:   First and foremost to create interest in the subject and make it exciting. Fun with numbers,  interesting  puzzles to solve, quizzes, by narrating some interesting incidences / stories in life of Indian mathematicians especially Shri. SRINIVASA  RAMANUJAN, who was born at KUMBAKONAM, Tamilnadu, contributions relevant to subject maths. For certain questions, given by him, solutions are yet to be found out.  Contributions from Great mathematicians from other countries, History of maths right from ancient period. Greek has contributed quite a lot. Easy way  of  calculations referring from Vedic maths, how number system developed, to find  the  easy way to solve the question. There are interesting numbers connected with famous mathematicians.  Ex:  Srinivasa Ramanujan Number is 1729. It is the only number which can be written as sum of cubes of two numbers ie 1729 =10^3 +9^3 , 12^3 + 1^3. Similarly Caprikar  number, harshad number, Triangular number, so on . These kinds of numbers are formed by simple operations of mathematics. So one has to have curiosity to find out, most of the matters are available on the ancient books/ internet. People have to find some time to know about them out of their own interest, not under compulsion. Teacher has to take some effort to find out what additional information can be given, though it may not be asked in the examination but yet to know/create curiosity or interest.

 A simple statement:   To concentrate on class room teaching.  One thing I would like to share, we do give more importance to procedural learning .There are some constraints. Time  limit on completion of syllabus.  Teachers are not having sufficient time to provide for more in depth of the subject, to orient students on open ended approach, allowing investigation, explore, etc. Just like science one has to explore and investigate why it is so. On some occasions teachers are deputed on duty to escort students, other  govt  directed and assigned works (for election, census work, etc)  one  cannot deny. Quotation  from  Einstein “ If you have not made any mistake , you have not  tried anything new “.The emphasis is on explore to meet the challenges later on, spoon feeding can’t help to solve a problem at unknown situation where difficult and challenging questions might come to solve.

 Teaching is an art, differs from individual to individual. So care is to be taken by the teaching   fraternity.  The teaching   has to be student centered.  Basics, I mean fundamentals at primary level to be taught thoroughly, linking with daily life situation, then learning becomes easier.  Conceptual teaching learning process shall definitely help students for retention.  Learning outcomes are specified for every class, with specific Minimum level of competencies if not all abilities are acquired/ equipped, so to say minimum level of learning (MLL). It is the duty of teacher concerned to see that the minimum specified abilities are acquired. Now a day’s text books are well written by subject experts and students are to be guided by subject teachers, to read and go through the text book, just like other subject books. This would help students to a large extent for self learning and ask to clarify doubts. A teacher has to prepare, modify according to the level of students and see that how much learning has taken place. Sometimes the same method may not help, if a teacher teaches more than one section, there requires skills to modify/ that suits the students in teaching learning process, so to say need based. There is a saying if you want to teach mathematics to a student, say “KIM”, it is not enough the teacher knows mathematics, he must know “KIM” also.  Quite sometimes back, I have heard from my friend, who is an academician.  I am reproducing what I heard.  He narrated like this: A student asked him, “Sir, I am not able to understand the way by which you teach me, could you please teach the way by which I can understand.”  Case study of a student is very much required.

Teacher has to adopt certain techniques so that learning becomes easier. There are various activities could be carried out either in the classroom or outside the classroom by group activities. One would have become a teacher either by choice or by chance, but the accountability in the profession is a must. If all  students say “Sir, today class has been so interesting and enjoyable”. Then it is a big reward /award for any teacher. Teacher has to use simple language, make the students understand the concepts clearly. We can also use synonyms for easy understanding.

Teachers should adopt collaborative approach to promote positive attitude among students towards math subject. Also, teachers can reduce fear of math by being friendly, encouraging self confidence among students, providing support and guidelines, aiming at, student entered learning, accommodating students to adopt activity based learning and learning by doing. Students could be motivated to learn subject by simplifying concepts through math lab activities, mathematical games, hand outs, worksheets, math quizzes, puzzles etc.

“The Only way to learn Mathematics is to do Mathematics.”

“ Believe You can and You’ re  halfway there.”----- Theodore Roosevelt