Reasons students find it difficult to learn mathematics
WHEN we think of it, students find it more difficult to learn mathematics among other subjects. In fact, there are studies made like polls wherein researchers asked students to name the school subject that they considered to be the most difficult and unsurprisingly it was mathematics.
So, the question remains and still goes this way. Why is it more difficult for students to learn mathematics? What stands in their way of their mathematical development? Surely, this issue has reasons actually a number of reasons. And as someone who teaches math I will listed down some of these reasons. This will help us mentors to spot our weaknesses in teaching and make an attempt to improve ourselves.
First, mastery is very essential and yet students are not able to master number facts. Number facts are the basic computations like for example 5+4= 9 or 9 x 3 = 27 students are required to in the earliest grades of elementary school. Recalling these facts efficiently is critical because it allows them to approach more advanced mathematical thinking without being bogged down by simple calculations.
Second, there is a chance that once they fall short at computations they will likely have less interest in it. Many students despite a good understanding of mathemat i cal concepts are still inconsistent at computing. Due to misread signs or carry numbers incorrectly students make mistakes thus making them to struggle often especially in the primary years of schooling where basic computation and right answers
are being stressed. They might have a high level of potential for higher-level mathematical thinking. They often end up in remedial classes. They are left behind.
Third, students find it difficult to transfer or apply math in real life. One fairly common difficult experienced by people with math problems is the inability to easily connect the abstract or conceptual aspects of Math in reality. Understanding what symbols represent in the physical world is not important to how well and how easily a child will remember a concept. Well, we people tend to tell to each other that mathematics is difficult, which reinforces their view that mathematics is difficult. And if we constantly tell ourselves and are told by others that mathematics is difficult, then chances are high that we’ll find it difficult, regardless of whether it’s actually difficult.
And lastly, the learning environment must be friendly and generous enough for students to understand clearly. The environmental factors such as place and learning atmosphere must provide many opportunities for concept building, relevant challenging questions, problem solving, reasoning, and connections within the curriculum and real- world situations. Teachers must see the difference between the subject matter and the students’ understanding of the subject itself.
With all the above mentioned reasons, we teachers can now find ways to eradicate the number of students that are performing low in math. The key is both in the learners and teachers hands. ( Paid article)