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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Reducing Math Anxiety in an Online Classroom - ITC Audioconference


MCC will host the Instructional Technology Council's professional development audioconference entitled, "Reducing Math Anxiety in an Online Classroom," on Tuesday, January 23 from 2:00-3:00 pm in room 3-115. The presenter is: Dr. John Beyers, Professor and Academic Director, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

Many have tried to define math anxiety - some refer to medical or psychological terms, others attempt to describe the symptoms, while others include the causes and effects. Sheila Tobias's popular definition in "Overcoming Math Anxiety" (1995) describes math anxiety as "feelings of tension and anxiety that interfere with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of problems in a wide variety of ordinary life and academic situations."

College math classes are generally offered in more than one delivery mode or format. Each modality presents a whole new set of challenges to consider. At UMUC, math classes are offered in three formats: traditional (face to face), traditional with Web enhancement, and distance education. Some math-anxious students choose a distance education format to avoid some of the negative experiences they expect with traditional classes. This may be their greatest educational experience or their worst nightmare. Often students do not choose a delivery format based on the best match for their learning style. They choose a format for convenience or because their life circumstances will not allow other choices. When this is the case, we need to help students adapt to distance learning.

John Beyers will discuss the cumulative experiences of more than 100 faculty and thousands of students in online math classrooms over several years. His presentation is based in part on an online workshop some leading experts at the University of Maryland University College developed called "Reducing Math Anxiety."

To reserve a seat, contact Melissa Burley via email or at Ext. 3017.

Melissa Burley
Educational Technology Services
01/17/2007