28. Mathematics and Its Obstacle

I came across these two interesting articles about Mathematics in Science Daily.

No Math Gene: Learning Mathematics Takes Practice

Dec. 16, 2013 — New research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology shows that if you want to be good at math, you have to practice all different kinds of mathematics.

What makes someone good at math? A love of numbers, perhaps, but a willingness to practice, too. And even if you are good at one specific type of math, you can't trust your innate abilities enough to skip practicing other types if you want to be good....

Role of Literacy Skills in Adolescents' Mathematics Word Problem Performance

Dec. 19, 2013 — Right after the PISA-results were published the whole Finland turned upside down. The performance of Finnish adolescents in mathematics had dropped from the very high end to 12th place. It started a discussion on bringing back the importance of motivation and "fun" in learning mathematics. 

...The main point is that learning mathematics does not have to be "fun." Instead, learning has to be considered as meaningful and purposeful by the learner, so that the need to know more would be accelerated. ...

The first article shows that no matter how good you are with numbers, you still need to practice to understand and by doing more mathematics. I think that what I did during primary school. I still remember how difficult for me to understand the concept of fractions when I was in standard five. I had no other choice but to learn it by practice, practice and practice. At the same time, I also tried my best to relate it to real life objects and applications. Good with numbers or calculations more related to arithmetic skills. For mathematics, there is more than that. Here I wish to quote part of the Wikipedia about what mathematicians think generally about mathematics:

...mathematicians seek out patterns and use them to formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proof. When mathematical structures are good models of real phenomena, then mathematical reasoning can provide insight or predictions about nature. Through the use of abstraction and logic, mathematics developed from counting, calculation, measurement, and the systematic study of the shapes and motions of physical objects...

The second article shows that learning mathematics does not have to be entertaining. I admit that learning mathematics is not easy for me because I couldn't 'see' it except geometry because I can see shapes, angles and lines.Besides, I think geometry is meaningful and useful. Similarly for statistics, I never think learning probability and statistics are enjoyable because certain areas are so difficult, abstract and it is no longer fun even for the experts. You might need to crack your head or bang the wall a little to get the answer but at the end you will feel "everything-is-totally-worth-it".

From the article, we know Finland trying their best to improve their student's performance in learning mathematics for future. For Malaysia...our ranking nowhere to be found. In 2009, we were there in the list but for 2013  I don't even know where are we. What a disappointment. Let's hope the Ministry of Education will do something about it for the sake of the future generations.

References:

1. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (2013, December 16). No math gene: Learning mathematics takes practice.ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2013/12/131216102844.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fcomputers_math%2Fmathematics+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Computers+%26+Math+News+--+Mathematics%29
2. Suomen Akatemia (Academy of Finland) (2013, December 19). Role of literacy skills in adolescents' mathematics word problem performance. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2013/12/131219082752.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fcomputers_math%2Fmathematics+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Computers+%26+Math+News+--+Mathematics%29
3. Mathematics. (2013, December 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:08, January 1, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mathematics&oldid=585987631
4. Programme for International Student Assessment. (2013, December 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:40, January 1, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Programme_for_International_Student_Assessment&oldid=586868971