How Writing Can Reduce Math Anxiety

Maths is overwhelming for student both in a good way and a bad way. Hundreds of studies have discussed on the topic of 'math anxiety'. The math fear affects students of all ages, from kindergarten to grad school. And this fear extends to real life as well like at times when we want to plan for retirement or want to calculate a tip. Even some teachers have anxiety towards the subject that pass on to the children.

 Paul McCreary, a faculty member at Evergreen state college's Tacoma program assigned students to write a mini-memoir on their experience with the subject. He estimated that 23 out of 25 students don't like maths. In some memoirs, he found that a few students loved maths but then eventually started disliking it. That was an interesting turning point. One student wrote that "Maths had been one of my biggest fears in life" while another one, a social work student, wrote that the trouble in the subject stemmed when she changed schools and wasn't comfortable to ask questions when she didn't understand. McCreary hold a Ph.D. in Maths from University of Illinois and a masters degree in education from Harvard. His students, mostly adults, comes from various backgrounds and experiences. The program is made to serve diverse student population and offer educational experience to that caters to work flexibility around jobs, parenting and various other demands.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51676/how-writing-can-help-you-overcome-math-anxiety