One point concerning a student's math and test anxiety that hasn't been
discussed is the anxiety level of the instructor related to teaching a
subject with which they have difficulty themselves. Many adult educators are
not prepared to teach math because of their week backgrounds which adds to
their anxiety level. They receive very little or no training for teaching
math and tend to teach the way they were taught. The majority of the
instructors who participated in the 3 year numeracy professional development
program I did in my state had never had any instruction in how to teach
math. There were a number of them who, after learning through the use of
manipulatives and visual methods what a fraction really meant, reacted in a
very emotional manner. These instructors had always thought that math was
beyond their understanding but yet, they were trying to help others learn
math. At the end of each semester several instructors would approach me with
"thankful tears" for finally receiving some help. 

 

Judy

 

-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Melvin Rice
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 11:48 AM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 695] Re: Productive disposition

 




>>> "Lynda Ginsburg" <ginsburg at rci.rutgers.edu> 9/18/2007 9:30 PM >>>

Lenny, Pam and David,

I agree that many adults are anxious about math, and it often has to do
with tests. Lenny, your strategy of practicing for the test situation
until some of the fear subsided seems to have worked well.

In addition to anxiety there may be the possibility of a math specific
learning disability. I read an interesting article in the NCSALL publication
"Focus on Basics" on a condition called Dyscalculia. The article is
available on line at http://www.ncsall.net/?id=325 . According to the
article there are some specific signs of this condition, many of which I
have seen in a couple of my students. 

 

Melvin

 

Melvin Rice

ABE Instructor

Kansas City Kansas Community College

melvinr at kckcc.edu 

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