Show them the relevancy and application of math in solving real world problems and emphasis on concepts NOT reading.
this is not an answer to your question, but i wonder how to render students willing to go for difficult topics and courses? is it not the same question as how to foster an environment that make persons engage in risky (possibly rewarding) businesses? do you have children, if so what do you do to stimulate them to explore the world and venture out to, for them, the unknown?
Tell them that in the beginning they may feel unfortable about new concepts and that this is perfectly natural. Tell them also that the one and only way to get familiar with the new concepts is by solving problems and exercises. When students complain that they do not "understand" some calculation, you can ask them to specify whether their uncertainty is about the validity of the calculations or whether they are not sure about the purpose of the calculations.
Dear Dr.Nabel;
You can give them tutorial hours dedicated for solving problems and exercises, then they will feel more familiar with math analysis by experience.
Best regards.
You are getting good inputs. Re Peter's comment "Tell them that in the beginning they may feel unfortable about new concepts and that this is perfectly natural." I agree and would like to add that as a lecturer it can be useful to convey the message that one's role is as a faciiitator for their intellectual explorations. Unfortunately, we are typically also examiners which tends to obscure the first role. For this reason I sometimes ask a colleague to partially replace me in a course such that the colleague can focus on being the facilitator, perhaps in a role as a tutor.
"Tell them also that the one and only way to get familiar with the new concepts is by solving problems and exercises." Instrumentally this is a good approach, but I think one should also stress the pleasure and satisfaction that lays in overcoming an obstacle.
It has been observed that certain students have show much in maths that they remain interested to score full marks in the subject . in other cases certain student have no inclination,liking & the interest of the subject of mathematics & as such where ever this subject in form of test or for the examination they get mentally disturb.
It is desirable that in the primary school parent should take an interest in their child by playing the game , implementing the method of learning in such a way that their child may take any interest & grasp the mathematics . With all the attempts of parents they are aware that their child is certainly weak in the subject so while entering for the seconding school parent should meet the teacher & appraise him regarding the teaching imparted by parents to their child & in this line they should request also the teacher to pay the necessary attention in the subject of Maths & teacher should observe his performance .
It is also desirable that the child should learn the mathematical line either thru, Maths ruler , mobile or calculate & in this training the child should study at home with the said devices .
This is my personal opinion
The teacher should explane that maths is a tool not a problem.
Giving them more examples which have practical applications as well as activate the group discussion in the class
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