Beyond Math Content CONFRONTING mindsets, emotions, and PERCEPTIONs related to math. integrating tools and Self-awareness into the math learning process.

Anthonie Nichols USU Math/Stats Instructor: >10 years SSS Math Specialist and Instructor: 1.5 years TRiO SSS Experience: 3 years

Objectives Integrating focus on the math LEARNER (not the content) into TRiO math support Perception of math (What is math to me?) Mindset about math (Growth vs. Fixed) Emotions related to math Expectations and self-awareness about math learning process Conceptual and organizational tools for learning math

What is Math? MATH Everything About It TEACHER

What is Math? When students wrongly equate Math = Teacher Increased math anxiety (lack of control) False sense of security Decreased self-responsibility to learn Greater tendency to blame poor outcomes on instruction Fluctuating interest in math by year (based on teacher)

What is Math? NOT best described as a linear building process, where every level is built on a previous one. Better described as a WEB of interconnectivity: Each concept is interconnected with many others. Conceiving math this way makes it much easier to maintain learning efforts when a few topics have been missed or not well learned.

Math Mindset Myths “I am just not a math person” (identity) “My math ability is fixed, can go only so far” “Difficulty is negative and should be avoided” “I am fated to not be good at math due to my gender, background, ethnicity, etc.”

Emotions Related to Math Positive Negative Math Anxiety

Expectations: What it takes to Learn Math Someone who finds it easier to learn skill (greater aptitude) Someone who finds it more difficult Mastery 6 5 4 3 2 1   Time and Practice Mastery 6 5 4 3 2 1   Time and Practice

Metacognition: Self-awareness of Learning Bloom’s Taxonomy (Applied to Math): College requires deeper processing than knowledge of facts. Difference between how students believe they performed and actual performance. (See VIDEO next slide: Dr. Steven Chew, Cognitive Psychology, Samford University)

Metacognition Video, Dr. Steven Chew, Samford University

Math Learning Tools Bloom’s Taxonomy applied to math Problem solving breakdowns and concept mapping Spatial and/or visual organizers Problem solving with Explanations (e.g. geometry proofs)

Ideas on Implementation NOT all at once. Too much to sink in. Would distract from doing normal math homework. If your project teaches math, insert one concept or tool at a time. If your project tutors math, train tutors on the material and have them introduce one part at a time across a schedule. One-on-one sessions, utilize materials on as-needed basis.

Our Project’s Implementation USU Logan Project: TRiO SSS Math Mentoring Online Canvas Resource, as previewed during presentation. Materials divided up into modules for quick reference one topic at a time. We will proceed with a quick walk-through.

Example Resources Custom built (like our Canvas Math Mentoring Resource) YOUCUBED – free for students, created by Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford MANY OTHER video and online resources

Discussion: Take Home Ideas?