Questions tagged [student-motivation]
For questions concerning the motivation of students and helping them to motivate for their study in general.
115
questions
9
votes
2answers
1k views
“Feynman effect” in teaching mathematics
In his book "Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman", Richard Feynman relates the following story. As he was supervising a group of calculators for Manhattan project, he at some point gave them a lecture on ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
Multiple extra credit questions in a homework set
Extra credit questions sometimes motivate students to study more. Occasionally I find several valuable questions which are all good as extra credit question choices but I have to limit the number of ...
24
votes
16answers
7k views
How do I show students the Beauty of Mathematics?
I teach many high school students, and all of them complain about being unable to fully understand mathematical concepts. I try to show them the joy of learning and deepen their understanding through ...
2
votes
2answers
186 views
Introductory exercise for the addition of large natural numbers
I'm starting a repetition with my students in 5th grade after they learned in elementary school how to sum up larger natural numbers (also 5- to 6-digits) by writing down that calculation.
As ...
17
votes
5answers
946 views
Teaching a student who refuses to learn
How to deal with a student who refuses to learn?
I've met a few of those over the years as a a private-class math teacher. They don't want to learn anything about the subject. Some of them are just ...
-3
votes
1answer
154 views
A role for a non-symmetric equality relation in teaching mathematics? [closed]
First, I will simply observe that it seems to be standard practice, in elementary set theory, to define relations to be sets of ordered pairs. If we had the option of introducing a "symmetric ...
9
votes
1answer
151 views
Motivation vs. Rigor
This is such a vague topic that I hesitate to post.
I constantly struggle between the time-tradeoff between
motivating a topic, and delving into the rigorous details necessary
to fully "grok" the ...
11
votes
2answers
319 views
How to stay interested in less-tangible math
I've graduated high school and I am joining college soon. The problem with me is that I'm not finding less tangible math interesting at all.
Some people find abstract math to be very beautiful, and I'...
7
votes
3answers
250 views
Complex numbers and encourage justification
In remedial algebra, we learn that the graph of $y=(\sqrt x)^2$ is only in the first quadrant. We know this is the correct graph for the equation. This is because we know $y=x$ and $x \ge 0$.
However,...
0
votes
1answer
190 views
Future in mathematics
My sibling is done with high school and has always scored A in Maths and am not in position to advise her on the future in line of her niche.
She's not yet in university and she's in her vacation but ...
9
votes
3answers
245 views
How to motivate students to do proofs?
I am finding it difficult to motivate students on why they should how to prove mathematical results. They learn them just to pass examinations but show no real interest or enthusiasm for this.
How can ...
7
votes
4answers
313 views
How to deal with students who object to me teaching material that won't be in the exam?
I sometimes encounter students who ask questions like 'Why are we learning this if it won't be on the exam?' If there is time to spare I like to teach interesting applications or natural extensions of ...
4
votes
1answer
103 views
Making modular arithmetic interesting for school kids
This is a pattern even school kids could discover (when gently pointed to). I never did conciously, and cannot remember to have been pointed to explicitly, neither at school nor later:
$$\color{red}{\...
3
votes
3answers
256 views
Math Anxiety get in the way of my Graduate School, I want to continue PhD
Probably it's just another advice-seeking CS student about math.. Well. I have math anxiety. Im a CS student, back then in undergrad I deal with code everyday, as long as my program work smoothly, i'm ...
7
votes
7answers
796 views
List of realistic extremum problems
I am a student who would like to become a teacher, so I am currently following courses in education. One of the things I learned, is that students like authentic, realistic problems. However, much of ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views
Encouraging students to learn probability
Background: I’m not exactly a Math educator, but I’m currently a TA of an elementary algebra course aiming at students of age 14-15.
I found that a lot of people have misconception about probability ...
56
votes
13answers
8k views
How to get past the “mystique” of Maths
This question is primarily discussing maths education for adult learners, on courses teaching engineering mathematics at an undergraduate level. These students generally never set out specifically to ...
35
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I help a student who has a “wrong” kind of enthusiasm?
Alice (not real name) is a student in one of my Math 100 (calculus) classes. It's a course offered by my college as a dual credit course at a high school, so the whole class is about 17/18 years old, ...
3
votes
2answers
162 views
Project with transformation geometry
I am working on a unit plan dealing with tranformation geometry level secondary education.
Students do enjoy creating those visual transformation but
I am trying to figure out what could be a nice ...
15
votes
13answers
2k views
Mnemonics for some properties in mathematics
I am looking for various mnemonics which help students to remember some important properties or theorems. Very often students confuse signs or relations such as $\leq$ and $\geq$ in some expressions. ...
6
votes
3answers
201 views
Make a matrix algebra course (1st university year) more “project-based”
Among other courses, I'm teaching a (basic) matrix algebra course for 1st year university students (they are studying Economics, and the cursus leads them to management, finance, or econometrics in ...
7
votes
6answers
239 views
Neat topics or problems to include in a probability class
I'd like to get suggestions for neat topics or problems to include in an undergraduate, upper division Introduction to Probability class. Many people have taught probability for many years and I'm ...
38
votes
4answers
1k views
Teaching undergraduates who expect a high-school-like learning environment
tl;dr: Some students expect to be told "what's on the test", to memorize and then move on. What can be done to change how they learn while teaching them what to learn?
Context: Introductory, ...
19
votes
5answers
451 views
Should I tell my students that math is hard for me?
I have read and heard from some other instructors that they attempt to encourage students who find math hard by saying "math is hard for me too, in fact it's hard for everyone!" I have tried this a ...
9
votes
6answers
1k views
What are the reasons for “math fear”?
I perceive that among the general population the belief that mathematics is some sort of highly intellectual esoteric subject is still quite prevalent. After studying math proper I've discovered that ...
8
votes
2answers
178 views
Problem based learning (PBL) for pupils with educational difficulties
I taught IT in an engineering school during three years in problem based learning (PBL) only. Now I teach maths to pupils between 10 and 15 years old who have a lot of educational difficulties.
I'm ...
10
votes
5answers
309 views
Drumming up interest in journal-problem-solving and competition prep
I teach at a small liberal-arts college and advise our Math Club. In past years, I have talked a few students into taking the Putnam Exam. I've found that I pretty much have to "coerce" them into ...
5
votes
0answers
83 views
Should I pursue math or physics as a career? [closed]
If I studied laplace transforms, fourier analysis, multivariable calculus, differential equations, partial differential equations by 9th grade, does that mean I have talent for math or for physics. ...
8
votes
2answers
126 views
How to retain the key points of an exercise?
I'm a student majoring in maths. The sole reason I chose mathematics is that I like mathematics. I'm sure I do not belong to that "gifted" category. I haven't participated in maths competitions either....
11
votes
4answers
1k views
How to engage low-level students?
I'm a recent graduate in my first year of teaching. I teach secondary students, and I have found that some low-level students are not listening in class. They seem to have given up and stopped trying. ...
7
votes
2answers
215 views
How to catch students from different subjects' interest to math?
I have just started to teach Calculus to freshmans and sophomores who study non-mathematical subjects, e.g., international relations, psychology. They have to take few mathematics classes -including ...
12
votes
4answers
306 views
Teaching new stats students confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and other general techniques for inference
I have instructed for community colleges and adjuncted for major universities for just over fifteen years now.
In all my time doing this job, I've found that the worst manifestation of so-called "...
7
votes
3answers
160 views
Younger student worried about upcoming mathematics
I have just turned 18 and am in calculus BC (calc 1 & calc 2). I most certainly grasp and understand the concepts of calc 1 however every once in a while a I seem to struggle with the calc 2 work. ...
9
votes
6answers
447 views
Motivation in School
I live in Brazil and here we have some problems with teaching mathematics in High School. In some point of the students' life (I think it happens in the 5th grade), they start "hating mathematics" ...
2
votes
0answers
81 views
Finding the correct mathmatics based on application as opposed to the other way around?
I just tried to pitch a Math Recommendations site, and it was shot down because it is too broad and that Stack Exchange sites operate on a separation of concerns principle; which makes sense to me but ...
13
votes
4answers
529 views
What are some recent, interesting, accessible pieces of mathematics
Mathematics can come across as a sterile, dead subject - a catalogue of techniques long-ago decided, and forever relearned by each successive generation of students.
This is approximately true for ...
6
votes
2answers
175 views
Calculus I known material, getting students engaged
I'm currently teaching Calculus I problem solving sessions for college freshmen.
The problem is that the majority of students have studied the material in high school (what's a function, even/odd, ...
14
votes
5answers
598 views
How to get through the boring stuff?
It frequently happens that there's some material I have to cover which is, frankly, boring. The subject itself may be boring, or it may be the particular exercises, but in any case I have to get ...
10
votes
5answers
659 views
Everyday Example Problems for Solving Linear and Quadratic Equations
I am going to teach some grade 9 students about solving linear and quadratic equations. I am looking for a question from every day life (of a teenager) or a puzzle which is hard to solve without using ...
4
votes
1answer
107 views
Providing interesting problems for all students in heterogeneous groups
Sometimes students from different programmes take the same course together. They may have a different background and/or different interests in the course. One example could be a basic mathematics ...
9
votes
4answers
536 views
How can I implement the principles of deliberate practise in my mathematical studies?
I have been reading a lot of books about deliberate practise recently like Angela Duckworth's "Grit", "Talent is Overrated" - Colvin and "Peak" - Ericsson and Pool. I want to apply these principles.
...
25
votes
7answers
1k views
How to solve the problem of Wolfram Alpha?
I teach to predominantly non-majors in college algebra, precalculus, and calculus.
How can one possibly incentivize or rationalize assigning practice problems outside of class when this software is ...
8
votes
4answers
514 views
I'm a self learner, what are some ways that I can compensate for the lack of a study group?
I am teaching myself mathematics, and I don't really know anyone who is interested in mathematics. I find that the hardest part about teaching myself is that I am lacking the social aspect of being in ...
7
votes
3answers
330 views
Is it appropriate to assign an extra credit homework question on the “next” session?
I am a new teacher teaching mathematics (College Algebra, Calculus, etc.) in a college. My wife has made an interesting suggestion that I would like to have a discussion here:
Is it appropriate to ...
6
votes
2answers
237 views
Motivating Mathematics Movies
A teacher has recently asked me to provide some suggestions for math movies to screen for a set of high school seniors. My first inclination was Flatland before I decided to do some basic searching. I ...
22
votes
13answers
3k views
What books are like Knuth's Surreal Numbers?
I'm looking to find more examples of books which bridge the gap between "story" and "mathematics" using narrative and all those other wonderful features we might find in Harry Potter or some other ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
The general and particular in the psychology of mathematics education
Many students I have spoken with who are drawn to becoming mathematics teachers chose their mathematics major because they enjoyed doing routine exercises in high school. The comfort of a definite and ...
11
votes
4answers
7k views
How to work with polynomials in difficult classes?
I am currently teaching a very difficult class, with young people (16 years old) who are deeply unmotivated and restless. I should work with them with polynomials, but I'm having a troublesome time; ...
22
votes
3answers
471 views
How to teach perseverance?
I have found that when I give problems that require multiple steps or ideas to solve, students often give up quickly and come to office hours begging for hints. Sometimes I break up such problems ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
How early to start “abstract” math education, or, How to prevent smart kids from never getting exposed to math?
Everybody who is in graduate mathematics had a moment where they realized that mathematics was "their thing", and they decided to dedicate their academic career to it. I don't know of many people who ...
