Overcoming Math Anxiety

Cynthia Bell
Numeracy & Youth Specialist
Literacy Assistance Center
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presentation
 Objectives
● Establish the effects of Maths Anxiety

● Identify techniques and strategies for dealing with Maths

Anxiety

● Discuss how to help teachers conquer their Maths Anxiety

What is Math Anxiety?
Math anxiety is “a feeling
of tension, apprehension,
or fear that interferes
with math performance”
Mark Ashcraft - Math Anxiety: Personal, educational
and cognitive consequences (2002)
Biological Effects of Math Anxiety
Stanford University School of
Medicine concluded that their
“findings validate math anxiety
as a genuine type of
stimulus-and situation-specific
anxiety”
Psychological and performance effects
❏ “Math anxiety reduces math performance both by reducing engagement
with math tasks and by making these math tasks harder to solve by
reducing working memory capacity” Source:
https://www.cne.psychol.cam.ac.uk/the-relationship-between-maths-anxiety-and-maths-performance

❏ Creates “cognitive interference” by generating thoughts and sensations

that begin to affect working memory

❏ It can have a negative effect on individuals’ math skills, which in turn leads
to adverse effects on their career choices, employment opportunities and
professional successes
 A shipper is shipping large crates
of iPhones from Hong Kong. Each
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For Example filled completely with iPhones,
which are in boxes that are
The Wet Phone Task 3”x4”x6”. One box falls off of the
ship and submerges completely,
but is pulled out of the water.
Overcoming the
math anxiety
process
Cognition and beliefs
work together. Our
self beliefs can affect
our brain.
Change a learner’s
mindset about their
potential and teach a
math that is open and free
enough for them to learn
and grow.
Encourage Student
Authorship of Processes
and Ideas
Create a positive
learning
environment
Memory Bank
Develop a memory bank of
positive math experiences.
Students may use pictures
or write down experiences
from class and deposit into
their bank.

Students can look back at

their positive experiences to
combat negative self talk.
Other Suggested Techniques for
Dealing with MA

Make math relevant Refrain from tying Accommodate for different

self-esteem to success with learning styles
math
“Strong Learners Are Made Not
Born”
 Many teachers who did
Strengthening Teachers not intend to teach
Who Deal with Math mathematics have the
“highest levels of math
Anxiety
anxiety”
Source: Conquering Teachers’ Math Anxiety
3 Things a Struggling Teacher Needs
❖ A growth mindset

❖ To feel mathematical freedom

❖ Share a sense of discovery with their students

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the evaluation.
 Contact
Information

Cynthia Bell
Numeracy & Youth Specialist
Literacy Assistance Center
Email: cynthiab@lacnyc.org

bit.ly/OSY-ISYTA