Encouraging Persistence In Math Class

 

This year, I ended up working with students who ended up on an online class because their original instructor left early and although certified in math, wasn't comfortable teaching it.  I arrived in time for the second semester and I've had to work with most of them to develop persistence.  They've been learning to complete their work without shutting down and giving up.

In addition, many students are hesitant to try possible solutions if they are not sure they are correct. For some reason, many students believe they should find the correct answer immediately without making any mistakes.  Sometimes, that is a hard attitude to overcome. 

One way is to use low floor and high ceiling problems so that weaker students are still able to do the problem as well as those who are much stronger in math. This type of problem has few skills needed to attack but contains multiple levels of complexity to provide challenge for those who need it.  

Another possibility is to use open ended problems that have more than one correct answer. This tends to confuse students who have always been taught that there is only one right answer and it takes a while to figure out how to answer it.  In addition, this type of problem allows them the opportunity to work through the frustration of finding the right path.  This helps build the persistence needed to work this and other types of problems.

Furthermore, if the problem allows for multiple solutions, it shows students that there is not necessarily a single way to solve the problem.  Students need to know that there maybe more than one way to solve a problem because it encourages students to use their creativity while allowing every student to exercise their problem solving abilities.

In addition, try to set things up so that students feel as if they are not being judged.  It sometimes pays to remove any and all factors that might inhibit students from thinking outside the box.  It makes them more willing to try things they might not otherwise try.  One way to make it easier is to assume students will not solve it and rather than grading the final product, grade the process they used to try to arrive at an answer. 

If you grade it using participation, it means weaker students are more likely to do well because they tried and it levels the playing field for them.  Furthermore, the instructor needs to learn to answer requests of helps from students so they don't give the answer but encourage all students to keep trying.  

One piece of advice is to throw in the occasional easy problem so students don't burn out and being able to solve a problem here and there helps student persistence.  Don't worry if the problem doesn't have anything to do with the topic being studied in class.  The problem doesn't have to.  

Don't be afraid to integrate problems regularly into class time so students get used to doing them.  Once a week is enough but be prepared to have students complain the first few times.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.