Learning math is quite different than learning other subjects, and it is certainly different than learning isolated procedural tasks, such as how to change a flat tire. Math needs to be learned step-by-step. If you do not completely understand a particular topic, and are unable to perform tasks involving that topic with ease, there is no point in moving on to a new topic that depends upon the first one. However, this is exactly what most schools do, although in many cases, they simply do not have a choice.
Whether you are learning math from a website, or from a book, or from a private tutor, it is important to not move past a particular topic until you are fully comfortable with the one you are working on. You will simply fall farther and farther behind, and will get more and more confused and frustrated.
Another important point to understand is that you need to work on material that is at your level. This can be humbling if you are very far behind in math, but there is no point in struggling to learn material that you are not yet ready for. Many high school students struggle to solve equations such as 7x – 9 = 16x + 13, when the real problem was that they never fully learned basic math like addition and subtraction.
Try to find material that is at a level that you completely understand, and begin studying math from that point forward. It is OK if it is many grades below level. If you study hard, you will be able to catch up very quickly, and more importantly, you will have a solid understanding of all the fundamentals.
It is important to study math every day if you want to get good at it. Do not just finish your homework, close your book, and say that you are done. You are not done. You need to think about the material, close your book and quiz yourself, and then think about it some more. Each day, you also have to go back and review earlier material.
Math is not about “doing,” it is about understanding. It is about thinking. Do not just answer a question. Ask yourself why the answer makes sense, and why the method that you used makes sense. If you study in this fashion, you will have no trouble at all passing your math tests, and you will probably get close to 100 on most of them. The math just has to become a part of you, and that can only happen if you put in a great deal of effort every single day. Think about how you learn a sport or a musical instrument. It takes tons of daily practice, and tons of concentration. Learning math is exactly the same.
By: Larry Zafran
Posts Tagged ‘Basic Math’
How to Learn Math
April 27th, 2010No Need to Hate Math With Math Software
April 20th, 2010
With the dawning of technology, there is no need to hate Math at school or when practicing at home. With a Math software, children starts to develop their confidence and increase their math skills with simple arithmetic calculations.
Learners practice performing simple calculations, without the aid of a calculator, as well as to develop recognition and recall of answers to math practice problems at a pace that they can handle with confidence.
Other interactive math software programs have a reading and comprehension level that is appropriate for Grades 3 and up and are valuable tools for students in upper elementary and middle school, who are looking to build confidence in performing basic math operations quickly.
Most volumes begin with an explanation of basic arithmetic operations namely: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Reference tables are supplied to provide clues for quick mental arithmetic and mastery of math facts. When ready to be tested, the student can select a drill, which has 10 questions and are selected from a database of number pairs for calculation. The Basic Level volumes use simple single digit numbers and the interactive math software at the Advanced Level uses mostly double digit numbers for math practice problems. Each drill is then scored and timed with the results saved. With the test records, students can follow their own progress and adults who may be supervising can monitor progress and assess if there are any learning issues that require intervention.
Moreover, some math software programs are available also in different languages such as Spanish and French. There are also those with a Learning Management System (LMS) that automatically tracks students test scores and provides the teacher with a database to sort and print as needed.
Kindergarten and 1st grade math students will be able to start at the beginning with the basic concepts of relative position followed by counting and number sequences. Second grade math students and third grade math students will benefit from practicing sequences before moving on to addition and subtraction. Fourth grade math students may first review addition before moving on to multiplication. While fifth grade math students will review the basics of multiplication before learning the detailed steps of long division. When reaching sixth grade, students will benefit from reviewing the material studied in previous years and supplement with challenging worksheets including the concept of time, geometry, figural analogies and much more.
The math software is undeniably a valuable tool for discovering a students weaknesses or accomplishments. This bundle is appropriate for elementary math students as well as middle school math students, high school math students, who need to learn or re-learn the basics of arithmetic. Many students slip through their early elementary math years with holes in their elementary math education. Older learners will feel the pride of accomplishing math skills they thought they would never learn.
However, this software is not only feasible for young learners but for adults as well, who needs to polish and review again their mathematical skills.
Teachers on their part find the program valuable as the math tests are scored and stored by the computer for evaluation of progress. The process is also simple because after taking the test, a personalized score sheet is printed along with an evaluation of topics requiring further study. The student can then return to the body of the program and practice those sections which were identified as weak areas. The use of the tests is flexible as the student may take Test A as a pre test and Test B as a post test or Test A may be used for one student and Test B for another.
As a whole, a math software is a modern blessing for both learners and teachers who would enjoy studying the numbers instead of dreading them.
By: Matthew Stanton
