How to make mathematics an interesting subject for one who finds it tough
Author: Hakimuddin Kuwakhedawala Post Date: 09 Nov 2023
Introduction
Mathematics is a very important subject from primary classes to the college level. I have been a teacher for the last 27 years. In this long period, I have observed that most of the students find it tough to study mathematics. They even miss the mathematics classes. I have also observed that the students who are good in mathematics also score well in other subjects. So, we must encourage the students to study mathematics and take an interest in this subject.Why mathematics is a tough subject?
It is a myth that mathematics is a tough subject. In my opinion, it is the subject in which a student can get 100% marks and improve his result. There are many reasons why students find it tough to study mathematics. Some reasons are given below:- The concepts of the students are not clear and hence they found it tough to study mathematics. Due to lack of concept students avoid studying mathematics and it became a phobia.
- Sometimes the parents also talk to students that mathematics is a very tough subject and the students believe their parents without experiencing it.
- Sometimes teachers use the traditional method to teach mathematics. The students get bored and do not take an interest in mathematics.
- Due to negative feedback from teachers and parents, students avoid studying mathematics.
- Sometimes students try to rote the sums of mathematics. So, they found it difficult.
- Most mathematics teachers create an atmosphere that mathematics is the hardest subject (Though the intention of is to prepare the students to give more time to mathematics) and hence students believe that it is very difficult to learn mathematics.
Tips to make mathematics an interesting subject
As I have mentioned earlier, mathematics is a very good subject and you can score 100% in mathematics. You need to follow some basic tips and you will find that it is not as difficult as you think to study mathematics. The important tips are as follows:- As I have observed most of the students avoid studying mathematics because their concepts of mathematics are not clear. So, they should try to learn some basic concepts of mathematics like, the operations of natural numbers, operations of whole numbers, operations of integers, operation of algebra, LCM, HCF, etc. Once you learn these basic concepts you will find that mathematics is a very interesting subject.
- After learning the concept of mathematics, it is also important to practice them. It is said that practice makes a man perfect. So, provide them with some classwork or homework to practice the different concepts of mathematics.
- It is also important for teachers to check the work properly and provide positive feedback to students. If students make mistakes try to clear their doubts. Any negative feedback from the teacher's end can discourage the students.
- Try to use the visual method to teach the mathematics. Make it fun for the students. It would help the students to take an interest in mathematics.
- The parents can use different online platforms for their students to get tuition. Some platforms which provide free and paid courses are Physics Wallah, Unacademy, Udemy, etc.
Conclusion
I hope that the above tips will work and that by following the above tips the students will get interested in mathematics. Teachers and parents must take care of the students. Every student is unique. So, try to understand the students and make a study plan accordingly.Author: Sheo Shankar Jha Post Date: 07 Nov 2023
It is a fine topic but at the same time at what stage the aspirant needs guidance to make the subject of Mathematics interesting has not been clearly specified. Supposing that it is the case with a child studying in class four or five and he is struggling hard to understand the concept of Mathematics, the following points listed below could be helpful to him -
1) The teacher or the mentor should be in a position to understand the mentality of the child at first. It would be better on the part of the teacher to come closer to the child with a frank talk to know the family environment of the child including how his parents are behaving with him. He might not be open at the initial stage but within a couple of sessions, the child would develop a positive relationship with the teacher and would respond to the queries of the teacher instantaneously.
2) The teacher should not scold the child for the silly mistakes/ mistakes he might be committing in the homework given by the teacher but should hint the aspirant at the easiest way of solving the given problems.
3) The teacher should clearly explain the different basics needed to solve the set of questions of a particular chapter. The student should be advised to go through the fundamentals given in the textbook of the Mathematics. In case, he is not in a position to understand the basics at some point, the same needs to be clarified by the teacher without showing any annoyance.
4) Once the relationship between the teacher and the student grows in a friendly manner, the teacher should work out the same way in multiple ways so that the child can discover that there are several ways to get the same result. In that way, his confidence level would be boosted significantly. The pupil would apply his own mind independently to arrive at the final solution.
5) The teacher should not lose his temper at any stage and his consistent behaviour of maturity can provide the child a lot of inputs to the subject.
It is a fine topic but at the same time at what stage the aspirant needs guidance to make the subject of Mathematics interesting has not been clearly specified. Supposing that it is the case with a child studying in class four or five and he is struggling hard to understand the concept of Mathematics, the following points listed below could be helpful to him -
1) The teacher or the mentor should be in a position to understand the mentality of the child at first. It would be better on the part of the teacher to come closer to the child with a frank talk to know the family environment of the child including how his parents are behaving with him. He might not be open at the initial stage but within a couple of sessions, the child would develop a positive relationship with the teacher and would respond to the queries of the teacher instantaneously.
2) The teacher should not scold the child for the silly mistakes/ mistakes he might be committing in the homework given by the teacher but should hint the aspirant at the easiest way of solving the given problems.
3) The teacher should clearly explain the different basics needed to solve the set of questions of a particular chapter. The student should be advised to go through the fundamentals given in the textbook of the Mathematics. In case, he is not in a position to understand the basics at some point, the same needs to be clarified by the teacher without showing any annoyance.
4) Once the relationship between the teacher and the student grows in a friendly manner, the teacher should work out the same way in multiple ways so that the child can discover that there are several ways to get the same result. In that way, his confidence level would be boosted significantly. The pupil would apply his own mind independently to arrive at the final solution.
5) The teacher should not lose his temper at any stage and his consistent behaviour of maturity can provide the child a lot of inputs to the subject.
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