Student fears
In order to teach math to students you first need to convince them that they can be successful.
I have witnessed students so fearful of failure they don't even try. If you can convince them they can be successful at the small parts, they are willing to attempt the harder material. Until they think they can, they can't.
That is so true. The feeling of failure, whether it be to ourselves or others, is such a controlling thing. It can stop a student's world in progress. I like your idea of small parts, and think it would be very successful. Also, by letting them know that even if you attempt a question and get it wrong, it is NOT considered a failure...only a learning experience.
Joyce - Math is a difficult subject for me and I understand the feeling of not even wanting to try. I feel successful in all other areas of my studies, but not math. The fear started in high shcool and I may never overcome it. I'm not sure how to convince an adult learner that they "think they can" because then I'd have to face my own fears of it.
Colleen
Great example...our attitude has so much to do with our success and this is no different than our students.
That is right, Joyce. The energy of success and completion goes a long way to overcoming fears or feelings of inadequacy, I have found. Sometimes I struggle with how to provide those "success stories" in basic math areas. What do others do?
I see this all the time, and I hear it all the time. Many students tell me that their fine with barely getting by as long as they get by. It's a tough road, but I find that I tend to push those students a little more to show them what they are capable of.
Yeah I am always amazed when I get a student who wants to know what they need just to get a C. You have to wonder where their motivation is coming from...to spend all that money and not care. Unfortunately you can only go so far with students with this attitude.
Hi Brenda,
I hear you about students like this. These are the students the ones that have little or poor career success and they wonder why they can't catch a break in their careers. I work with them as best as I can but it is as you say really up to them to take advantage of the learning opportunities.
Gary
I can relate to this. We have students coming in who have been handed everyting thru elemantary and high school and become so dependant that they dont have any faith in themselves. Students with IEP's who can read and understand the material on their own but no one ever puts any expectations on them so they continue along thinking they can not do it. when you sit these students down and say this is what I want you to do and this is how you go about it they see that they can succeed on their own. I see this as a great thing for student who have been told their whole lives that they can not do it or they can only do it with special help. We need to move back to everyone being responsible for themselves not this you need extra help with everything. when they get past that to the point where they see that they can do it on their own the learning really begins.
Hi Mark,
Good point about students needing to be able to achieve success on their own. As adults the rules change in terms how they will be perceived. They need to develop independence and skills in their career area to the point they can be competitive. If they aren't they aren't going to get hired or not be able to stay on the job if hired.
Gary
