The gap between people who perform mathematical operations without any difficulties and those who have the hardest time understanding essential math concepts is growing at a disturbing pace in the United States. This piece mentions several reasons why some individuals struggle with math.
Year after year, responses to the annual Gallup Youth Survey reveal that teenagers list math as the subject in which they encounter the most difficulty. The difficulties tend to follow these teenagers well into adulthood, as evidenced by the sheer number of developmental and remedial math class offerings at colleges and universities across the US. According to Lopukhova (2012), mathematics was the most common remedial course reported by beginning post-secondary students: 15% of students in all types of educational institutions were enrolled in remedial mathematics in 2004.
And statistics are dismally worse at junior colleges, partly as a result of open admissions policies that allow anyone to enroll without regard to ability to successfully handle collegiate level coursework. Nationwide, almost 70 percent of all incoming community college students must enroll in non-credit remedial math courses before taking college level math classes. Remedial math often leads to deferred dreams because the vast majority of students who enroll in these courses never end up inside a college-level math class. We all know that most degree plans require satisfactory completion of at least one college-level math course such as College Algebra, Finite Mathematics or Elementary Statistics prior to graduation. Without a college-level math course on one's transcript to meet general education requirements, no degree will be conferred.
Why do many students struggle with math? The theories are abundant. I will mention a few of them.
Math is a sequential subject.
Math is a highly objective subject, which means each problem has one correct solution and an infinite number of wrong answers. It is also a sequential subject, so what you learn today builds upon the math you learned in the past. Also, the math you are learning today is the foundation of all future mathematical learning. If the basic concrete foundation (read: arithmetic) has cracks, you will almost certainly struggle with future mathematical learning that involves more complexities and abstractions (read: algebra and beyond). Unfortunately, many students move into more abstract math courses with a dangerously crumbled foundation in the essentials. All too often, this spells disaster.
Neurobiological issues may hinder the acquisition of mathematical concepts.
Students think, learn and process information in different ways. The left hemisphere of the brain is regarded as the analytical side, whereas the right brain is commonly known as the global half. Left-dominant learners tend to be analytic thinkers who demonstrate a preference toward acquiring new information in a sequential, logical, step by step manner. On the other hand, right-dominant learners tend to be less analytic, more artistic, more holistic and with a preference to acquire new information starting with very general ideas before breaking them down into specifics. Thus, left-dominant learners usually grasp mathematics and logic with ease.
People fail to connect math with real life.
Many students look at a linear equation with a bunch of letters, numbers, and funky-looking symbols while wondering, "What is the point? Why do I need to know this?"
Associating math lessons to real life is important, especially for adult learners. Making a connection to everyday life has been proven to increase peoples' interest level in math and prompt them to actually want to learn it. Knowing how all those symbols translate to real life is crucial to how satisfactorily a person will retain an abstract topic.
To satisfactorily learn advanced math, a person needs the ability to think in abstractions. Abstract thinking employs concepts and ideas that contain symbolic interpretations. However, many people have not crossed the bridge from concrete thought to abstract thought. According to Wadsworth (1989), one-half of the adults in the United States do not develop beyond concrete operations. Concrete operations address an individual's capacity to think about things that are real and concrete rather than logical and abstract. A student who struggles with abstract thinking may also struggle with higher level mathematics.
Math requires practice and patience.
To succeed in math, students must exert plenty of time, effort, practice and mental energy. After all, practice makes perfect. However, we live in a society in which immediate gratification is prized, so some people demand the answer now instead of patiently working toward the solution. Patience is a virtue that is gradually becoming lost on people.
Dyscalculia might be a legitimate problem.
Some individuals who have difficulty grasping math might suffer from dyscalculia, a neurocognitive affliction that impedes the ability to learn essential numeric and arithmetic concepts. Dyscalculia is supposed to be the numerical equivalent of dyslexia.
I have a cousin who is taking his last math class in order to graduate in May. He asked me to tutor him but the main thing I told him in order to be successful at math is to do several problems every day. He will do a couple but then give up. He just wants me to do his homework for him and I flat out refuse.
You must do the homework, practice, practice! There are workbooks available to refresh you in the basics such as math made easy, algebra made easy etc. They do work but it comes down to practice. Lastly I recommend buying the "solutions" study manual most textbooks have additional supplementary material. A solutions manual shows the correct steps to arrive at the right answer and will save a person hours of frustration! Your college probably doesn't offer it but it is usually available online. I encourage you to check it out.
Great article and discussion by all...does anyone have any recommendations for books to self teach? I am beginning a master's entry program in the fall, so I would like to brush up on my math skills this summer. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Great article and discussion by all...does anyone have any recommendations for books to self teach? I am beginning a master's entry program in the fall, so I would like to brush up on my math skills this summer. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Which math classes will you need to take? What grade level of math do you believe you are performing at currently?
Commuter--I would like to be proficient in any math that I will encounter during nursing school and in my career. I am beginning school this fall, so I have the entire spring and summer to brush up. The last math class I took was elements of math sophomore year of college (approx. 12 yrs ago). I didn't feel enthusiastic about math in hs and college, so I got out what I put in. As of now, I am motivated to absorb as many concepts as I can before the program starts. Thanks for your help!!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Commuter--I would like to be proficient in any math that I will encounter during nursing school and in my career. I am beginning school this fall, so I have the entire spring and summer to brush up. The last math class I took was elements of math sophomore year of college (approx. 12 yrs ago). I didn't feel enthusiastic about math in hs and college, so I got out what I put in. As of now, I am motivated to absorb as many concepts as I can before the program starts. Thanks for your help!!
Here are all the resources you should ever need. If you need more, just ask! :)
"do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics. i can assure you mine are still greater."
for free unlimited practice problems in any of the math disciplines: InterActMath.com - follow the directions to download the drivers you need to access the software and then choose a textbook of the type of math you want to work problems from
medication calculation help and practice problems you can work:
Welcome to Hansen Nursing - medication calculation tutorial - you do not have to register to go through the tutorial
Medical Dosage Calculations - companion website for medical dosage calculations, 9th edition, by june looby olsen, anthony p. giangrasso, dolores m. shrimpton, and patricia dillon.
http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/mathindex2.html - scroll to the bottom of this home page of this med calc tutorial. see the menu item that says "common conversion factors/equivalencies"? click the button next to it that says "go read" a conversion chart comes up for you
where to find nomograms: they are in taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary in the b's listings under "body surface area"
dimensional analysis tutorials [keep in mind that dimensional analysis is usually done in chemistry and physics and nursing has only adapted it for use in medication calculation problems]:
Be sure to return and keep us posted on the grade you eventually earned in this class. I will absolutely be rooting for you!
Got an A.Don't ask me how. I haven't a clue. I suppose because it's not exactly "math." There's a lot of logic, word play, intuition, and common sense involved.But it was hard.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Got an A.Don't ask me how. I haven't a clue. I suppose because it's not exactly "math." There's a lot of logic, word play, intuition, and common sense involved.But it was hard.
Commuter--Thank you very much for the extensive list of resources. Your optimism and encouragement is very much appreciated. Math is intriguing, yet it sparks anxiety for those who are afraid to error. For me, it falls in a love/hate relationship!! Thanks again
I keep coming back to this post and rereading it. I want to get myself pumped up to take elementary algebra again. I didn't go to high school so I have nothing to fall back on. When I took my placement test in 2010 they placed me in pre-algebra and I worked very hard for the B I earned. Once I tried taking algebra my anxiety kicked in over drive and I dropped it right before the end. I will be taking it over this fall with physical ed class and not much else so that I can focus on it. I will be moving into the tutoring center and most likely pay someone for personal tutoring. This time not a class mate because I did that last time and even though she did well in the class she wasn't a very good tutor. It feels good to read that others overcame this and even exceeded in future math classes
EinSD619--When my anxiety gets the best of me, I stop and put things in perspective. I think and visualize all the people I have encountered that have overcome true adversity and afflictions to live their lives. This helps me to refocus and realize that it is all in my mind and I am in control of my own destiny.
DoeRN
941 Posts
I have a cousin who is taking his last math class in order to graduate in May. He asked me to tutor him but the main thing I told him in order to be successful at math is to do several problems every day. He will do a couple but then give up. He just wants me to do his homework for him and I flat out refuse.
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com