Should students use pencil or pen when doing math work?
Category: Study Tips
11 Ways To Do Better In Math
Eleven things a student can do to improve their mathematics experience.
Successfully Asking Questions In Class
Do you ask questions in class at least once per week? For many students, the answer is probably “no”. Reasons for such an answer may include one or more of: – I don’t want to let my peers or the teacher know I don’t understand something – I am uncertain about what to ask… I…… Continue reading Successfully Asking Questions In Class
Studying to Understand vs Studying to Memorize
“Memorizing” is less effective than “understanding”. Ways to study which improve understanding while reducing the need for memorization.
Learn the Game of Learning
The title of this posting is the title of a chapter in “Making Learning Whole”, by David Perkins (2009). Of the books on education I have read to date, this is the first that resonated completely with me. He describes the way I try to teach, and more – thus giving me much to reflect…… Continue reading Learn the Game of Learning
Solving Math Problems At The Board
Many students perceive their teachers to know more than they really do (Math teachers in particular). If a Math student who just observed a teacher solve a problem at the board is asked “What do you think was going through the teacher’s mind as they solved that problem?”, I suspect the average answer would be something…… Continue reading Solving Math Problems At The Board
Word Problems… !#$%@;*!!
Word problems can be… frustrating. Most of their reputation arises from their use of words to describe a quantitative problem. And if the problem’s author did not choose their words very carefully, you’ve got Trouble (with a capital T). So why are so many word problems assigned? Because they are more similar to the quantitative…… Continue reading Word Problems… !#$%@;*!!
Problems fall into four categories
Description of a useful way of categorizing math problems: easy, medium, ugly, and hard. When studying for quizzes or tests, make sure to seek out “ugly” problems if you have not solved many yet.
Lost points on a problem? What to do…
People don’t like losing points for errors in their solution of a problem. So, what can you do to insure you won’t lose points again the next time you are given a similar problem? Most folks seem to look through the corrections, then perhaps ask the teacher to solve the problem for the entire class,…… Continue reading Lost points on a problem? What to do…
Getting the most out of standardized test (SAT, ACT) practice books
How to get the most out of your time studying for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.
Improve Your Math Grade: Use Scrap Paper
Scrap paper is an important tool when learning and doing mathematics. Every student should be using it to solve math problems from Algebra 1 on.
MathMaine 