Oh wow. I truly enjoyed reading the experiment process. I enjoyed the pleasure of being a teacher for a period of one year at the high school I had graduated from. The way you explained the approach you took after your experiment is the exact same way I taught my students. That's is the way the old educators used to be. I am not in any way putting down the current educators, I know they do try their best, but somehow from the time I have been to school compared to now, there seems to be a loss of compassion towards individuality among students. Not everyone grasps things the same way. Truly excellent post. I am a serious fan of yours.

Actually I was never good at algebra and calculus but I am very good in business math which I find very simple. You make some interesting points and I agree that the one size fits all way of teaching excludes many learners.

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https://s4.postimg.org/qgx862hv1/IMG_1067.jpg

This post received a 4.2% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @nicnas!  For more information, [click here](https://steemit.com/steemit/@randowhale/introducing-randowhale-will-you-get-the-100-vote-give-it-a-shot)!

This is very true and nice way to share and discuss different opinions of math. We use it everyday and most of us dont realize how often. I have never been a huge math fan and the reason for me was b/c I didnt enjoy formulas in school. I couldnt remember how to complete problems how they showed me. But i realized that once I understood the pattern I always found my own ways to solve them. My own solutions ended up being faster too. Today I use math everyday wether it be in poker, computer programming or my sports formulas and predictions. THanks @mathworksheets for another amazing thought provoking post.

Math was always my favorite subject in school. While it came easy to me, most found it very difficult. Some just have a hard time grasping the abstract concepts. I believe it also has to do with how it is taught. Everyone learns in different ways. More teachers need to take the 'individual' approach like you mentioned.

Yes, my dear friend @mathworksheets, I know two reasons which work in synergy to make people hate math. In my experience those two reasons are:

1. Inability of teachers to explain things in a clear and, if possible, entertaining manner. That is, great number of teachers do not even try to instill a love towards math into their students.

2. Repressive educational system that forces students to fight for certain mark, and not for a knowledge.

Together, these two reasons are a lethal combination that leave many students in frustration with marks, which they “translate” to a hate towards math.

Really nice article!

For me, math was always a weird subject to learn and talk about, at least until I finished high school. I was always bad at it, I never really understood anything and I never managed to find a teacher that would take the time to explain all the concepts that I don't understand.

That's why since I was 10 years old I hated math and I gave up on learning anything that would help me understand it. I thought, for a very long time, that I was stupid and I just can't understand the concepts that could help me get better.

However, when I finished high school I had to do a few things related to mathematics, and I realized, in just a few minutes, that I really enjoyed doing it.

I kept doing more and more, and soon I realized that mathematics were actually interesting and fun.

Sadly, I had the bad luck to get bad teachers that weren't interested in explaining anything, and were making fun of everyone who couldn't understand mathematics. I hope other people are luckier than me and can get better teachers.

The good news is that once I have the time, and once I do not have to work so much, I'll spend some time learning mathematics and see how easy and how fun it is when I actually invest time to understand things and when no one's pressuring and making fun of me.

Congratulations for your article and keep up the good work! :)

I wish I had a teacher who could explain me math like you do here @mathworksheets. Upvoted & resteemed.

Hi again @mathworksheets...remember me?

As to this post and my difficulty with math (basic math I'm fine with) it's the more complex formulas that were my block. I could say it was because I didn't get the answers to my questions as my brain required them and blame it on the teacher. But I did ask and wanted the answer but sometimes the teacher isn't as engaged as the pupil's mind...and as you already stated...each individual is different in how they learn. So poor input = poor output.

Secondly, and this came to me around the same time I was having these learning difficulties is I learn more by osmosis. 

Always have been more of a concept thinker. I see the forest more than the trees. It had always worked for me and still does...to a degree. The brain get's conditioned over the years.

Math is the trees that make up the forests. The ground, the undergrowth, all the branches and leaves.

Now my good friend as to this challenge. I just want to drop a link here I think you should take the time to look at. I'm further from the finish line than you are...and this is not our disgrace...not at all...just a fact. A fact that we both can, in fact, change.

There is plenty of time to engage ourselves with others, at this link and I believe another but I just need to confirm with merej99 first. I believe I stumbled upon it last night. She calls them "fun posts" to help get others to comment 500. 

So...do you want to complete the challenge? Do you want to have some fun my new/old friend. We can discuss many things there if you wish...or you can just comment to your heart's content with comments that are already there...it's all set up and still growing. Easier than picking slugs out of your garden. 

You can do it if I can! Even if I can't I'm still going to try. Here is the link.
https://steemit.com/challenge/@merej99/the-community-engagement-challenge-day-9-diary#@thesimplelife/re-cryptologyx-re-merej99-the-community-engagement-challenge-day-9-diary-20170717t162619820z

http://i63.tinypic.com/2dmcw05.jpg

I had good math and science teachers when I was just starting out and I really liked math and did well.  It helps if you can get the basics and feel like you are enjoying it and are able to understand things.

I think my hesitation in concentrating on getting a math degree was around feeling like it would not lead to many employment opportunities.  I was never very interested in being a teacher.

In any case the employment situation now is difficult - I'm not sure what I would do if I was a youth again.

This is very true. I always tell my son that math build on layers much like a brick wall. If your foundation is weak, the future wall will be in trouble.

I have always hated math but I think there are psychological aspects behind that. My parents were very good at math and therefore I will be bad at it to spite them. :P  I also had a few terrible teachers that I could not connect with. They were at the critical stage when I needed GOOD teachers the most because it was like the keystone to the harder math that came later so I was always behind on the learning curve.

Then came college courses. I HAD TO TAKE MATH. With online courses I didn't have the benefit of staying after class for help. I had myself, my text book, and the internet to help.  I literally equations that I needed to figure and it was pages long...and I did it. Actually got an A in my math courses. But I was in a foul mood the entire course and there were days when my whole body hurt just trying to understand.  LOL  Thank goodness that's over!

Good and stimulating article. Thanks!


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I think the great divide comes with the introduction of algebra. If I had my way, I would leave it until it is necessary, instead it is introduced to make easy questions become hard! Deeply dumb syllabus in most countries.

Every kid I know can do x + 5 = 9 in their head, but with algebra it becomes a painful process.

The other problem is similar: demanding the learning of methods instead of understanding. There are often multiple ways to solve a problem - the only incorrect method is one that doesn't work.

And the third problem is that most primary teachers are not themselves very good at maths. I teach my own daughter - I dare not infect her with school-maths confusionitis!

Take care!

https://imgoat.com/uploads/4173cb38f0/29567.jpg

I like your post very much, I was never bad at maths untill I got a teacher who either did not like me or I did not understand her.  If you asked her to help with something you did not understand, she would just say go figure it out I have explained this so go sit.

Math is not hard if your mind is set to learn and master it. I strongly believe that the psychological aspect of a learner is one of the biggest factors why many consider it as a difficult field of study. There are two laws that I personally think should be considered by Math teachers in teaching the subject. 

First is the Law of Learning by Thorndike. There are actually three laws of learning: Readiness, Exercise, and Effect. Readiness is crucial in teaching Mathematics, or any subject. Under this law, motivation is essential to achieve learning. People learn best when they are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to learn. On the other hand, they do not learn if they do not see any reason for learning. Perhaps this is the reason why Math is my waterloo. I can't find valuable reasons in learning algebra, trigonometry, or any other fields of Mathematics that may be useful or at least applicable in my daily life. That's why I always felt sleepy (sometimes dizzy) in every Math class I've had back when I was still studying. :D

The second one is not actually a law but a theory - the Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Gardner. This theory states that every individual has his own field of inclination or expertise based on his skills and abilities. Those who excel in Math have the Logical-Mathematical intelligence. In my case, I'm interested with words and languages therefore I have a Verbal-Linguistic intelligence. 

However, it is not impossible for an individual to possess more than one intelligence. These are the people whom we can consider as gifted or genius individuals. Chances are rare though. 

This is only my personal opinion and based on my own experience as a learner. I hope I could be of help. :)

When I had math teachers that were excited and passionate about their job it made all the difference on how much I absorbed. My 10th grade geometry teacher was one year from retirement and as dry and boring as could be. That was a rough class for me.

In my years as a kitchen designer, there was one particular project that I had to custom design an island with some unusual angles. That advanced math that I had learned way back when...that I had thought was pointless...came in handy and was even fun! I think when you learn math in relation to something else that interests you the concepts resonate.

Just a couple thoughts. Thanks for posting.

Yeah, it's one of those things.  I mean, math is hard for everybody and the better you are at it the harder it gets.  Personally, I have a a BSc in PMAT and dropped out of my PhD, which probably puts me above average, but I doubt I have more ability than anyone, just that when problems get stuck in my brain I can't let go of them.

That's all there is to be great at math, no different then becoming an athlete.  Just get addicted to that pain!