Approaching the Dislike of Mathematics in School

For most students, mathematics is met with difficulty and this poses a challenge to teachers and students alike. From a young age, we are brain-washed into hating any mention of algebra, equations, word problems and geometry. A couple of decades ago, everybody involved would have simply sucked it up and carried on as usual. This is unnecessary today as there are a number of resources to assist in educating everyone about the best route. After doing a quick internet search however, we soon realize that the resources are somewhat lacking in this department. There are only a few articles written to inform us about finding the best solutions.

Elementary school children are introduced to new topics such as algebra from the fourth grade. If a solid mathematical foundation was not built in the early days of counting, sums and multiplication tables, the problem only tends to get worse with time and students grow into young adults who fail to understand more complex subjects such as calculus and trigonometry. We need articles outlining the core issues and familiarizing us with the plight of other students and educators.

A Google search for the term “algebra help word problems” for example results in numerous links to calculators, tutor software and additional exercises but no sign of any articles or other resources with a holistic approach to the problem. Many users turn to the internet for solutions to their problems. Ironically, most search results give you more math problems to solve if you search for the solution to one. This gives the impression that math is a never-ending maze of problems which need to be solved in order for individuals to progress to their next level of development. Some may argue that the best way to learn how to do math, is to do more math. “Practice, practice, practice”, the teachers always chant. However, after 12 years of practice, most students leave school with a vague idea of the equations, systems and applied knowledge they were taught in school.

Perhaps the most frightening aspect of this is that school leavers who do not go on to work or study in fields of science, technology or accounting rarely ever approach math problems again unless they are calculating a tip at a restaurant, a sale discount or dealing with their own personal finances. There are many critiques and advice columns for social problems, psychological issues and seemingly superficial matters but math is shunned away after the last 12th grade exam is written. This is alarming because math explains the way in which the world works. A good understanding of math makes it easy to have a general understanding of science and economic systems and a population with this knowledge remains aware and informed. So in order to tackle these concepts about math one should go for online help where proper guidance and support for the subject is provided free or almost free to the peoples. With online math tutoring we can create a new system of learning.