#math anxiety

[scifigeneration]

3 reasons we use graphic novels to teach math and physics

by Sarah Klanderman, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Marian University and Josha Ho, Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Marian University

Post-pandemic, some educators are trying to reengage students with technology – like videos, computer gaming or artificial intelligence, just to name a few. But integrating these approaches in the classroom can be an uphill battle. Teachers using these tools often struggle to retain students’ attention, competing with the latest social media phenomenon, and can feel limited by using short video clips to get concepts across.

Graphic novels – offering visual information married with text – provide a means to engage students without losing all of the rigor of textbooks. As two educators in math and physics, we have found graphic novels to be effective at teaching students of all ability levels. We’ve used graphic novels in our own classes, and we’ve also inspired and encouraged other teachers to use them. And we’re not alone: Other teachers are rejuvenating this analog medium with a high level of success.

In addition to covering a wide range of topics and audiences, graphic novels can explain tough topics without alienating student averse to STEM – science, technology, engineering and math. Even for students who already like math and physics, graphic novels provide a way to dive into topics beyond what is possible in a time-constrained class. In our book “Using Graphic Novels in the STEM Classroom,” we discuss the many reasons why graphic novels have a unique place in math and physics education. Here are three of those reasons:

Explaining complex concepts with rigor and fun

Increasingly, schools are moving away from textbooks, even though studies show that students learn better using print rather than digital formats. Graphic novels offer the best of both worlds: a hybrid between modern and traditional media.

This integration of text with images and diagrams is especially useful in STEM disciplines that require quantitative reading and data analysis skills, like math and physics.

For example, our collaborator Jason Ho, an assistant professor at Dordt University, uses “Max the Demon Vs Entropy of Doom” to teach his physics students about entropy. This topic can be particularly difficult for students because it’s one of the first times when they can’t physically touch something in physics. Instead, students have to rely on math and diagrams to fill in their knowledge.

Rather than stressing over equations, Ho’s students focus on understanding the subject more conceptually. This approach helps build their intuition before diving into the algebra. They get a feeling for the fundamentals before they have to worry about equations.

After having taken Ho’s class, more than 85% of his students agreed that they would recommend using graphic novels in STEM classes, and 90% found this particular use of “Max the Demon” helpful for their learning. When strategically used, graphic novels can create a dynamic, engaging teaching environment even with nuanced, quantitative topics.

Combating quantitative anxiety

Students learning math and physics today are surrounded by math anxiety and trauma, which often lead to their own negative associations with math. A student’s perception of math can be influenced by the attitudes of the role models around them – whether it’s a parent who is “not a math person” or a teacher with a high level of math anxiety.

Graphic novels can help make math more accessible not only for students themselves, but also for parents or students learning to be teachers.

In a geometry course one of us (Sarah) teaches, secondary education students don’t memorize formulas and fill out problem sheets. Instead, students read “Who Killed Professor X?”, a murder mystery in which all of the suspects are famous mathematicians. The suspects’ alibis are justified through problems from geometry, algebra and pre-calculus.

A peak inside the mathematical graphic novel ‘Who Killed Professor X?’.

While trying to understand the hidden geometry of suspect relationships, students often forget that they are doing math – focusing instead on poring over secret hints and notes needed to solve the mystery.

Although this is just one experience for these students, it can help change the narrative for students experiencing mathematical anxiety. It boosts their confidence and shows them how math can be fun – a lesson they can then impart to the next generation of students.

Helping students learn and readers dream big

In addition to being viewed favorably by students, graphic novels can enhance student learning by improving written communication skills, reading comprehension and critical literacy skills. And even outside the classroom, graphic novels support long-term memory for those who have diagnoses like dyslexia.

Pause and think about your own experience – how do you learn about something new in science?

If you’re handed a textbook, it’s extremely unlikely that you’d read it cover to cover. And although the internet offers an enormous amount of math and physics content, it can be overwhelming to sift through hours and hours of videos to find the perfect one to get the “aha!” moment in learning.

Graphic novels provide a starting point for such a broad range of niche topics that it’s impossible for anyone to be experts in them all. Want to learn about programming? Try the “Secret Coders” series. Want to understand more about quantum physics? Dive into “Suspended in Language: Niels Bohr’s life, discoveries, and the century he shaped.” Searching for more female role models in science? “Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier” could be just what you’re looking for.

With all that they offer, graphic novels provide a compelling list of topics and narratives that can capture the attention of students today. We believe that the right set of graphic novels can inspire the next generation of scientists as much as any single individual can.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

#science #mathematics #Physics #education #Graphic novels #comics #teaching math #teaching science #Physics education #Math anxiety #Youtube

[prue126]

So I just had a thought about the concept of Math anxiety. It's a thing, but I wonder how much of it is a thing because so many of us had borderline abusive math teachers rather than just not understanding it. (or the way in which it's taught in the US) Because personally, a lot of my math teachers were rude, impatient, arrogant, and sometimes demeaning when I didn't understand something.

#math #school #teachers #math teachers #math anxiety

[crustycantankerousgrownup]

Numbers:

My Brain: OH NO! scary!!!

#adhd? #discalculia #math anxiety

[smolandweirdwriter]

friendly reminder that math anxiety isn’t “haha I don’t like numbers” math anxiety is breaking down into tears because you can’t do basic division at 3 in the morning

#math anxiety #dyscalculia #school #math homework #math student

[joalinder]

Imposter syndrome

How to overcome imposter syndrome. Aaaah yeah, the voice of “reason”, trying to convince you to not have trust in yourself and your abilities. The constant need for validation, and still, when you do get praise, you tell yourself it was luck, or nothing special. Nothing to be proud of. 

Imposter syndrome is usually a package, it can include insecurity, anxiety, self-doubt, need of attention, depression, you name it. Ill share some of my experiences with it, so if it doesnt totally bore you out, feel free to continue reading. 

Imposter syndrome has most definitely been a struggle in my life, and still is, now more than ever actually. I`ve always been bad at mathematics, and barely passed my math classes in highschool. I felt like the dumbest person alive, and it really got me questioning my worth. After highschool I started to self study, just by myself in my free time. I would spend countless hours at the local library, because i wanted to “gain” my worth. It sounds horrible to have such a motivation, but i was really hurting, more than id like to admit. Everytime i got something wrong, i would shut down, isolate myself and get mental breakdowns. I always went back to the library, continuing my own mission to “become normal”. I didnt even view it as self improvement, but that id have to reach “normal knowledge and capability”.  I ended up studying and learning all the curriculum for the first year of nursing school, even before starting my education. I knew it all, and my first year of nursing school was a breeze. Do I feel proud of that? No. - and that`s when this became really toxic. I don`t feel proud of any achievements, cause i still think of myself as stupid and less worthy of praise, no matter what I do. I learned japanese by myself as a hobby and went to Japan alone after two years of self study. I talked easily with the locals. Do I feel proud? No. Im still that lousy kid in high school that skipped classes, made minimal effort and hated to study. I still freeze when I have to do calculations of any sort, and im therefore worthless - at least in my mind. So, how do you overcome imposter syndrome? i wish it was a easy fix. A “do this and wait seven minutes”, like when you`re making pasta. I wish everything was like making pasta(lol). I think severe imposter syndrome won`t go away completely, no matter what you do. However, i do think you can live without it screaming into your consciousness every single time you make a tiny mistake. First, if you are like me, a people pleasing, insecure, but also a humble brat, you have to get rid of the fear of sounding arrogant. Yes, even when you`re talking to yourself in your own mind. Try saying things like: “Im actually great. I`m awesome in so many ways”, and then give reasons for it. “Im great because-, i`m awesome because-”. Don`t fall into the trap of adding “but”. Theres no but, only because. You won`t automatically turn arrogant or selfish by giving yourself compliments. It`s actually quite important. It`s self love:) Just like when you`re putting on lotion on your skin, or eating a healthy meal. You are taking care of yourself, and by doing so, you will slowly change your mindset. Keyword being slowly here, it`s not a magic cure. It takes practice, just like everything else. Just like math:P 

Okay, so ive ranted quite a bit. I`m totally aware that your experiences with imposter syndrome might be completely different, and yes, this tip is not original by any means. It`s very basic, but it needs to be spoken about, because it tends to not be put into action. Im a prime example of someone who needs to be reminded by this. If any of you resonate, leave a comment, or contact me, i really struggle with it and would love other insights as well. Other than that, have a nice day, and be kind to yourself<3

#imposter syndrome #insecurity #math anxiety #mathanxiety #perfectionist #anxiety

[emperornorton47]

File this under be careful what you say.

When I was a kid, I struggled with math. I mentioned to some teacher's aide that I wanted to be a linguist. "Linguists have to be good with math," she said, probably hoping that this would get me to concentrate more on the deadly subject.

When I started taking foreign languages I struggled because of my suspicion that somewhere within them were mathematical principles. Given my command of language skills, I should have been good at them. But my fear of the hidden math undermined my progress.

It was, of course, founded on bullshit. I didn't need to be good at math. I just needed to learn grammar and vocabulary which I was good at. This stupid woman had ruined my life.

After my wife disabused me of the notion that language learning required math, I took some Rosetta Stone courses. I still struggled because of my fear, but I did much better.

I still curse that woman.

#foreign languages #language acquisition #Bad advice #Math anxiety #Education #blogging #blog

[chaberkowepole]

Like, not to discount anxiety disorders as a whole

But I think mental health professionals just hand out that label and are done with it, without looking at the root of the problem, because that is easier for them.

The thing with anxiety is that it's supposed to be a disproportionate fear reaction to a situation that is 'objectively safe'.

But who decides what is objectively safe? What if the fear reaction is proportionate to the situation?

I can only speak to my experiences. I was treated for anxiety at the age of 12 when I ran out of an important test. My problem was treated as a problem of anxiety and I was made to feel like I need to get my responses and emotions under control as they were 'wrong'. I was given a stress ball and was sent home.

Years later it turns out I had undiagnosed dyscalculia. All my test anxiety stemmed from that. But no one ever looked into that, because I learned to compensate it by 'simply' learning all maths by heart. (Yes, all of it). Nevermind that I was throwing up before every test and my mental health spiraled from there.

What I'm trying to say is, sometimes the fear may seem irrational to the metal health professional, because they'd have to dig deeper for the underlying, very rational cause. And they often don't do that.

Another case in point: the social 'anxiety' I felt turned out to be undiagnosed autism. And as all autistic people know, it is not irrational to assume we will not be liked, as neurotypical people very often almost immediately shun us (not all, shout out to those people in particular!). But heck, studies have been made that say neurotypical people are likely to judge us as less likable even from a mere photo (which, I believe they can be educated out of, but for that mental health professionals would have to acknowledge first that it's a substantial problem and it's not on our side). Framing our experiences with that reality as irrational fear is therefore more than damaging, as it denies us our experienced reality and prevents measures against it that include neurotypical people.

Tldr;

My argument here is that sometimes, the reason for a persistent anxious reaction is very rational and proportionate to the situation, but slamming 'anxiety disorder' onto the person and being done with it does more harm than good, because it doesn't address the underlying matters, like undiagnosed neurodivergencies. If you're a mental health professional reading this, please consider going that layer deeper that may not always appear at first glance.

#Mental health #Anxiety #Anxious #actually autistic #dyscalculia #actually dyscalculic #Social anxiety #Math anxiety #test anxiety

[mattykelevra]

I literally have anxiety dreams about shit like this! 😝🙄😠 A lifetime suffering with discalculia...

#i hate math #math anxiety #discalculia #discalculia kid

[arcticdementor]

(link)

#scientism #twitter #screenshot #public schooling #public relations #marketing #math anxiety

[floxu]

Doing maths in my head and getting it correct feeks SOOO good especially with big numbers, especially after heavily overthinking math during tests in primary -> high school and just freezing etc. It helps so much. Math is so cool but math anxiety SUCKS and it's the little things that help bit by bit I suppose. I still freeze up and get some anxiety from even the simplest math problems.

It's okay to be wrong, and great job on being correct to those who get correct answers! Math is awesome and please don't beat yourselves up for being slow at answering even though people expect you to, you can build up the speed if you want to. I believe in you

#rambles #floxu rambles #maths #math anxiety #mathematics

[northsouth89]

An idea regarding taxonomy

-

Instead of math anxiety

insecurity.

Mathematical, Analytic, Arithmetic

insecurity.

We can work on them

we can face them

you didn't come with them out the box

insecurities stem from experience

perhaps traumatic experience.

#math #math anxiety

[crustycantankerousgrownup]

The math fandom needs to chill.

There is no godforsaken reason that I would need to know how to calculate the per-ounce price of soda in my head. Soda doesn't get used by the ounce, it gets used by the can. The label on the pack is actually sufficient, thank you.

#i hate math #fuck math #discalculia #math anxiety #the math fandom needs to chill

[the-100th-witch]

Was trying to explain math anxiety to someone and found this cool TEDtalk on it :)

#math anxiety #math #anxiety #my mom and sister and teachers except for two in highschool were awful to me about not being fast or good at math #also hit me in my gifted kid mindset that my mom and sister and most teachers put on me #Youtube

[rootstoroutesacademy]

What were your experiences with expressing mental health? Were your parents open to the concept or was it foreign to them as it was for ours? For more on this topic listen to our episode “Is It Mental Health?” on our podcast More Than Just A School linked in bio.

#ontario #french #early childhood education #parents #students #private school #public school #school #black student #mental health #math anxiety #immigrants #minority and ethnic groups

[2-kamikou-1]

have you ever had a whole fucking meltdown over slopes at 4:32 in the morning with the sekai cover of positive dance time playing? no? then don't talk to me like you understand

#math anxiety #prosekai

[wannabefarmfairy]

If anyone has taken statistical reasoning can you PLEASE give me some advice I’m freaking out

#suck at math #math anxiety #statistics