Does your child detest Mathematics? Does it take you a month of Sundays to make them sit with their Mathematics textbook and solve problems? Well, you are not alone.
A survey conducted by Cuemath, an online Math tutor, in June 2021 revealed that 82% of the surveyed 1600 students across classes 7 to 10 fear math.
According to a survey conducted by NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), only 37% of students out of surveyed students across classes 4 to 12 liked mathematics. 29% considered mathematics unimportant for their future.
In 2024, YouthTruth, a non-profit organization in San Francisco, surveyed across 90,000 students. Only 57% of students said that learning math is important. Only 46% said that they felt comfortable asking questions in their mathematics class.
Numbers clearly say that students hate math. Here mathematics lab comes into the picture. Although it doesn’t instantly make a student fall in love with math, it paves the way to befriend the dreaded fundamentals, concepts, theorems, and problems by simplifying the process of learning. Before we understand how math labs help in teaching mathematics, let us tell you what mathematics labs are!
As the name says, a mathematics lab is a place where students perform mathematical activities and experiments to learn the concepts of math. Math labs are designed to offer hands-on learning experiences to students.
Equipped with tools that facilitate learning, the practical learning approach helps students comprehend the basic and complicated concepts of mathematics. Moreover, it also teaches them to apply the concepts and principles of math in real life.
If search on Google to know, “Why do students hate mathematics?” the results will stun you. You will find a hundred reasons behind students’ hostility towards this subject. But what is it that makes math such a least popular subject?
The reason isn’t math, it is the teaching style. Here are some reasons most students dislike math:
By and large, the medium of instruction for this particular subject is written and verbal. Although schools are revolutionizing their teaching approach, the way mathematics is taught remains anachronistic. The obstinate approach does not conform with learning styles of most students, which makes them repel the subject.
Most teachers fail to teach students the practical application of mathematics in their day-to-day life. Although students understand and memorize the theoretical concepts and fundamentals, they find them abstract. The lack of creativity and imagination in pedagogy discourages them to like math.
If any student, the foundational knowledge of mathematics is weak, they tend to lose interest in the subject. They find it boring and irrelevant, and shy away from even trying to understand the basic concepts. On the other hand, if a student’s foundational knowledge of the subject is strong, they thrive on mathematical challenges.
More often than not students are constantly scrutinized on their mathematical skills. The stress of being dissected all the time makes them hate math.
There is no easier way of mastering math than making mistakes and learning from them. But students hesitate in making mistakes. They fear humiliation and being reprimanded. So, they entirely give up on math.
Traditional mathematics teaching approach is boring, repetitious, and outdated. Mathematics lab bears the potential to salvage the dying interest of most students in the subject.
Mathematics laboratory is more than just a place to learn the theoretical concepts of math. It is a place where students can experience math through an array of teaching aids, like simple manipulative materials and advanced mathematics laboratory equipment.
The manipulatives orchestrate an immersive learning experience for students and hone their mathematics skills. In a math lab, students use several materials, like dice, blocks, cards, cubes, beads, scales, stencil sets, cups, beakers, abacus, and other such materials to tighten their hold on this subject. They learn by performing mathematical experiments, solving math puzzles, and playing mathematical games.
This engaging approach stirs up students’ interest in mathematics and stimulates their curiosity to solve problems.
Mathematics labs equip students with a fresh perspective to look at math. Here are some benefits of having a math lab:
Mathematics lab curates a dynamic learning experience for students. It allows them to apply the principles of mathematics in the real world with the help of certain equipment and learn from it. It helps students to acknowledge the importance of math in everyday life.
Math lab allows children to break free from the traditional book-learning approach and put their motor and sensory apparatus to work. As both mind and hands work in harmony with the lab equipment, the activities sharpen their sensory, motor, cognitive, and even physical skills. Students acquire a problem-solving attitude, which helps them in every real-life situation.
The active learning process establishes a deeper understanding of even the most complicated concepts. While learning mathematics in a math lab, students experience the ideas and concepts with the help of mathematical equipment. The knowledge acquired with conceptual learning stays with them throughout their lives.
Math lab accommodates diverse learning styles. It lets students learn at their own pace and in their own style. Math lab inspires creativity. It lets students develop new ideas and perspectives.
Certain experiments and games require students to work together. They solve problems together, discuss ideas, and help each other throughout the activity. It helps in developing collaborative skills and teamwork.
Math lab creates an interactive learning environment where students interact with teachers and their peers. It helps in developing strong communication skills.
The activity-centered method of learning fosters autonomous learning by letting the learner take charge of their learning. Students can pick any equipment that grabs their attention and learn a mathematical concept with it. Independent learning also helps in giving a boost to their self-confidence.
Math anxiety is a serious issue that many students face. Constant scrutiny in math class intimidates students. The relaxed environment of math labs provides respite to students who fear math. In labs, students enjoy learning. They do not fear making mistakes but learn from them. It motivates them and instills their interest in math.
A mathematics lab houses several interesting equipment for learners of every grade, from little kids to 10th-grade students. Here are some of the common equipment that you can find in a math lab:
These instruments and several others help students to explore different concepts of mathematics on their own.
Math lab is an effective way to tackle the fear and resistance students show towards math. It makes learning interesting, effective, and relevant. By learning the concepts of math in an easy-going and fun way, students become better performers. Moreover, it also contributes to developing several valuable life skills. No doubt, mathematics labs are transforming the way schools teach math.
If your child is also scared of math, encourage them to learn with the help of manipulative equipment. Learning mathematics through equipment improves conceptual understanding. What a student learns in a math lab stays with them forever.
