math success strategies: developing an individual plan for students with disabilities and veterans...
TRANSCRIPT
Math Success Strategies: Developing an Individual Plan for Students with
Disabilities and Veterans
Dr. Paul Nolting
Academic Success Press, Inc. Copy right 2014
Agenda
Discussion on Variables for Math Success
Process to Develop a Math Success Plan
Processing Deficits and Their Effects on the Learning Process – LD, ADHD, PTSD & TBI
Math Study Strategies to Improve Students Learning and Grades
Reduction of Test Anxiety
Developing your own Math Success Plan
Variables Contributing to Student Academic Achievement (Bloom, 1976)
Cognitive Entry Level Skill
+
IQ
(Ability to Learn)
50%
Self-conceptLocus of Control 25%AttitudesAnxietyStudy SkillsPTSD
Quality ofInstruction 25%
Placement
Grades
Math history
Aptitude
Learning speed
TBI
LD
ADD
Learning styles
24/7 Web accesses
Tutor training
On line vs. classroom
Math study skills – classroom and online
Self-regulated Learning
Productive Persistence
Learning Problems Affecting Math Grades
Incorrect course Placement
Mismatch of teaching styles and course design
Lack of Math Study Skills
Math and Test Anxiety
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - a life-threatening event like military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents,
Learning Disability (LD) – neurological cognitive processing deficits in STM, WM, LTM or FR
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)- violent hit to the head
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - executive function attention/concentration problems
Not having a math success plan – Start plan now
My Math Success Plan: Individualized Study Skills Strategies to Improve Math Grades
How Learning Math is Different and Why It Pays Off
Curriculum progresses twice as fast.
Most deep learning is outside of class.Math/science requires sequential skill learning.
Students must learn how to structure learning math/ science to match their own learning styles.
In addition to understanding math, students must master it, be able to complete it in a set time period.
Students must demonstrate they understand the concepts, not just mimic the problemsMath/science is a foreign language.Math is like a sport, puzzle or music.
Each instructor teaches differently and students must adapt learning strategies. Online/modular courses require more independent learningIt is socially acceptable to fail math.Learning math/science will pay off.Let students discuss their math learning problems.Discuss the concept, the more math you learn the more money you will make.
Learning math requires special study strategies
and habits – Let the students discuss
attitudes towards math
Ingredients for math success – Bloom chartLearning Modality Inventory for Math StudentsPrevious math backgroundMath Study Skills Evaluation - WAMIndividual College Math Success Plan
Continually tell students that study strategies help them save
time in the long run and learn more productively.
Assessing and Using Your Math- Learning Strengths
Math Study Skills Evaluation
Joe College, the overall result of your evaluation is a score of 60.A score of 79 and below means you need to improve your math study skills and this could be the main reason you may have had having difficulty.Question #1My habit is that I: A. seldom study math every school day. Your response indicates that you may not understand that math has a sequential learning pattern. A sequential learning pattern means material learned one day is used the next day and the next day and so forth. That means putting off studying math will lead to poor math grades. You need to study and do your homework before each class. You need to read pp. 11-21 in Math Study Skills Workbook
Question #4My habit is that I: C. almost always become anxious and forget important concepts during a math test. Your response indicates that you have symptoms of math anxiety and/or test anxiety. Math and test anxiety are learned responses, which can be unlearned. You need to learn how to control your anxiety by using relaxation techniques and positive self-statements during homework and tests. You need to read pp. 65-69 & pp. 72-79 in Math Study Skills Workbook.
Decreasing Procrastination and Improving Motivation/Self-Efficacy
Learn helplessness – student task on repeating math coursesWhy procrastinate – student group task
Fear of failureFear of successRebellion Perfectionism
Which one is student reason – student group task
Improve motivation/self-efficacy – student group task Setting up SMART goals
Specific goalMeasurable Action-Oriented RealisticTimely
Improving self-talkAnalyzing self-talkPositive self-talk
Helping students develop their Individual College Math Success Plan
How to Improve Listening and Note-taking Skills
Listen EffectivelyGolden Triangle of Success Warming up for math class – Student taskUse abbreviationsWhen to take notes a. Writing on the board b. Summarizing c. This is a tricky problem
Seven Steps to Note- takingModel the steps on the boardMath glossary – put vocabulary words on testsMath vocabulary cardsReworking notesStudents take notes and compare their notesHelping students ask questions
Class Note-taking SystemThree Column Method
Math Problem
Key Words/Rules/
Properties
Examples/Problem Steps Explanations and questions I need to ask myself
Seven steps to math note-taking
1. Record Keywords/Concepts in the left 2” margin
2. Record each problem step in the Examples section
3. Record the reasons for each step in the Explanation/Rules section
Seven steps to math note-taking
4. Cover up the examples and explanation sections and recite out loud the meaning of the keywords/concepts
5. Place a check by the keywords/concepts that you didn’t know
6. Review the information that you checked until you understand and remember it.
7. Develop a Mathematics Glossary for difficult to remember keywords/concepts
Keywords Examples Explanation
Natural Numbers
1,2,3,4,5,6,….. Counting numbers beginning with 1
Integers …-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,… Positive and negative counting numbers
Rational numbers 2/3 , 3/8, -5/6, 8/1,… A quotient of 2 integers
Irrational numbers 3 , π , 1.2673964... Non –terminating decimals
Real Numbers -2, 4/9, 5, 7 , π , 2/3 Rationales + Irrationals
Ten Steps to Understanding Reading A Textbook/Online Textbook
1. Skim the assigned sections2. Put all your concentration into reading3. Go through each example step4. Mark the concepts and words you don’t know5. Take notes from your math textbook6. Develop a math glossary7. If you don’t understand- reread previous page, read
ahead, read aloud, go to notes8. Reflect on what you read9. Review textbook notes and glossary several times10. Write anticipated test questions.
Ten Steps to Doing Online Homework
1. Review related textbook material.2. Review appropriate lecture notes.3. Do homework neatly.4. Must write down problem and every
problem step.5. Understand reasons for problem steps
instead of using the click and go method.6. For difficult problems use the resources
provided by the software (videos /tutor line).7. Finish by working a problem successfully.8. Recall or write down important concepts.9. Develop virtual note cards by using
www.studystack.com.10. Don’t get behind – you could get block out.
Learning from online homework is more difficult than text book homework
Using Language to Learn Math
Vocabulary Cards
Students keep 3x5 vocabulary cards with definitions in their own words and sample on the back.
Quick review.
Compare/contrast terms to see how they work together.
Vocabulary Section in Notebook
Two columns, one with word and other with definition and sample.
Keep up with it in class.
Quiz themselves by folding back column.
Test Anxiety: Myths
Students are born with it.Test anxiety is a mental illness.Test anxiety cannot be reduced.Any level of test anxiety is bad.All students who are not prepared have test anxietyStudents with test anxiety can’t learn math
Students who are well prepared don’t have it.Intelligent students don’t have it.Attending class and doing homework should reduce it.Being told to relax will make you relaxed.Doing nothing about it will make it go away.Reducing test anxiety guarantees better grades.
Tensing and Relaxing Technique
Relax all your
muscles.
Tense your muscles.Pull up with your arms
tight.Press down with you feet
and legs.Hold for a few seconds.
Relax.Repeat one more time if necessary.
Calm Yourself Right before the Test
When you get to the classroom and you want to avoid all the panicky talk going all around you, try the “Palming” technique.
Place your palms on your forehead. Think of a place that is very relaxing to you. Pretend you are there. Or, you can think about your memory “mental” cheat
sheets. The other benefit is that the other students will think you have a headache and will leave you alone.
Preparing for Tests
Review all the time.
Practice master learning.
Make up mental cheat sheets and memorize them.
Ask instructor for practice tests.
Make a practice test with other students. Let instructor review for accuracy.
Memorize vocabulary. Use them while reviewing problems.
Study what you do not know.
Take a practice test using the Ten Steps to Test Taking.
One of the best “pieces of advice” is to assume you are preparing for the test whenever you are working math—in class, as homework, as review.
Ten Steps for Taking Classroom
or Online Tests
“The first student done with the test may not be the smartest in the class. Often the smart students are the ones that take the entire time to make sure they do everything accurately. Be brave. Stay in the room and make sure you complete everything accurately.”
1. Memory Data Dump
2. Preview Test
3. 2nd Memory Data Dump
4. Test Progress Schedule
5. Answer Easy Questions
6. Skip Difficult Questions
7. Review Skipped Questions
8. Guess at Remaining Questions
9. Review All of the Test
10.Use all the Test Time
Six Types of Test-taking Errors
1. Misread Directions
2. Careless Errors
3. Concept Errors
4. Application Errors
5. Test Procedure Errors
6. Study Errors
This is why they invented the eraser!
Use the eraser wisely. Sometimes it is better to scratch something out at first and then make sure the correction is right. Go back and erase, leaving the correct information. Sometimes when we are nervous, we may change a correct a right answer. We erase the right answer, go on to other problems, check the test and discover we changed an answer incorrectly and have forgotten the right answer.
Stages of Memory
Hand out• Sensory input is when an
individual physically takes in the information. TBI, PTSD
• Sensory register is when the mind neurologically accepts the information. TBI, PTSD
• Short-term Memory is when the brain receives information and stores it for a brief time. TBI, ADHD, LD?
Forgetting =
Information not input or registered.
Stages of Memory
Working Memory is like RAM in a computer that can send or recall information and is part of executive function. TBI, PTSD, ADHD, LD?
Long-term memory is a storehouse of material that is retained for long periods of time. LD?
Abstract Reasoning uses recalled concepts to make new meaning and understanding without using language. TBI, LD?
Memory Output is recall learned facts and/or concepts. TBI, PTSD, LD?
Forgetting =
Information not Understood
Math Educational/Testing Accommodations
• Tutoring access and record sessions
• Cell phone pictures
• Note-taker
• Digital recorder
• Extended time
• Private quiet test area
• Formula sheet
• Complete your Individual College Math Success Plan or Math Mission Plan
Individual Math College Success Plan
Semester:
A: Student Information Name:
Disability:
B: Services
C: Courses
D: Math Study Strategies
E: Testing Accommodations
F: Disability Information
G: Semester Goals
Conclusion
Each student with disabilities or wounded warrior is unique; therefore, it is important to continue learning about the processing deficits and how they affect learning in specific disciplines. As a result, an instructor or tutor can take the suggested strategies and adapt them to meet an individual’s special learning challenges.
Let’s continue the conversation. Email us at [email protected] whenever you have questions or when you have success stories!
For more information go to www.academicsuccess.com