Education & Opportunity

In my newspaper column for Feb. 1, I discussed how studying math helps students access and develop parts of their brain that would otherwise be underutilized. For all of those folks who have ever said about math, "I'm never going to use this," here's a surprise: You're probably using it all the time without even realizing it. For instance, when a high school senior is writing a history paper, he has to mentally manage a lot of facts, dates, and details.  The study of math actually helps him manage those details better.

So do you go to the gym to get your physical muscles stronger?  Math may help build and tone your mental muscles.

One additional point that I didn't have space to discuss in the column involves individual learning styles. Research tells us that about 70 percent of math is learned visually. This means that those students who are strong visual learners have a natural advantage when it comes to mathematics. But what about those of us who are strong auditory or kinetic (physical movement) learners?

Educational therapist David Berg suggests that it's important to allow such learners to incorporate their preferred learning styles into the study of math. Auditory learners may find it helpful to talk through problems out loud.  Kinetic learners, those who learn through touch and movement, may even find it helpful to squeeze a ball or spin on a chair as they study.  "If the curriculum fits with their learning style," says Berg, "they will be successful."

Do you or your kids have any issues with math?  Any math success stories out there?  Post your questions and comments below...