looking for guidance

[struggling]

sorry for the wall of text...

i'm a old guy trying to do the bare minimum maths required to start a new degree. algebra was a terrible subject in highschool 20+ years ago, and i'm failing in all reguards today. i havea 3.8gpa after taking HARD courses like Anatomy/Physiology, Microbio, similar. I've learned good study habits, and succeeded in all other areas.

i'm a good test taker, and mnemonics/visualization aids are very beneficial.

except for algebra.

i can do (literally) 100 similar problems, and accomplish 90% correct answers. wait a day, and i'll fail 90% of them if i can't review all my notes, rules, and solutions/aids.

this is extremely frustrating. it causes heavy family stress, and difficulty in other courses when i know i just turned in a blank page for a mid term in a -remedial- intro algebra class.

i've tried tutors, and had similar experiences to above. fine today, bomb tomorrow.

my only question is:

what have you found personally to be the best aid for a student in this situation ?


thanks

 

[Quaid]

Hello.

I'd like to know more about your situation.

Does this all have to do with the same math class? That is, after doing no math for 20+ years, you're now struggling in your first return to studying math (an introductory algebra course). Is this correct?

Were you given a placement test, to determine in which math course you ought to begin? If not, how did you decide on introductory algebra?

Are you attending class with a live teacher, or is it an online course?

Please also give an example of something that you worked on with face-to-face tutors, and then forgot the next day.

Cheers :cool:

 

[struggling]

Hello.

I'd like to know more about your situation.

Does this all have to do with the same math class? That is, after doing no math for 20+ years, you're now struggling in your first return to studying math (an introductory algebra course). Is this correct?

Were you given a placement test, to determine in which math course you ought to begin? If not, how did you decide on introductory algebra?

Are you attending class with a live teacher, or is it an online course?

Please also give an example of something that you worked on with face-to-face tutors, and then forgot the next day.

Cheers :cool:

placement test said 'normal' algebra would be fine. so i tried that. failed, dropped, but atttended to try and absorb as much as possible.
dropped a level to 100, failed, similarly.
dropped a level to 98, looks like a similar path so far.


yes, this is a on campus class.


it's not so much one particular problem type, it's ALL problem types. the starburst of rules and 'extras' that branch off and determine how a problem should be carried out. this week's difficulty were systems to be solved by substitution and graphing.

it doesn't really matter what the type of problem is, but more of a 'drawing a complete blank' when looking at a new, or not extremely recently used problem/rule. PEMDAS can even become problematic if there has been heavy focus on problem types that don't need it, then a new problem introduced that does.


summary:

it's not the problem that's the problem, it's the little known, barely used, odd and infrequent RULES that apply to the problem that make solving them a nightmare of 'drawing a blank' about how to start.

 

[Quaid]

From your reply, I understand that the school's placement test (or their evaluation of it) was not successful; I wonder how many other things this school fails at.

One issue with schools, in general, is the paradigm of treating all students according to some fixed time-allotment. Many people need more exposure than "average", to reach a working comprehension. Maybe, you're one of these intelligent people who simply need more time understanding how to think mathematically. If this is the case, then all you need is more practice.

You're not the first person to claim that math class is just some big mind-juggling-act of obscure rules, tricks, and sidetracks -- "impossible to remember". With sufficient work, things do get better. After enough exposure, you begin to recognize stuff as familiar. Maybe, those first two remedial courses are designed too much as review. Or, maybe the class is moving too fast, trying to jam two quarters into one, not giving students opportunity to absorb the material. How much homework is assigned? One of the biggest issues (my opinion) that I see in remedial courses is a lack of graded homework exercises. (Do you turn in assignments, with work written on paper? Do you get any feedback?)

I helped students in a particular four-month beginning algebra course, and I saw a total of one exercise for a difference of squares. I saw graphing three lines. To understand special factoring patterns or graphical attributes of lines and linear equations, a handful of exercises is not sufficient. When I took remedial math courses at college, the daily assignments were 40 to 50 exercises. Assignments were returned with annotated grading.

My impression is that you may need to get your hands dirtier, working though more examples, followed by completing more exercises than are assigned. If you disagree, then please state for me one the "little known, barely used, odd and infrequent RULES that apply".

Also, if you're still on shaky ground with arithmetic concepts (eg: multiplication table memorized, prime factors, percents and percentages, proportionality, fractional arithmetic, square roots), then it could also be that (for you) studying algebra is like trying to complete two math classes simultaneously. That is, if you're bogged down with trying to remember prior knowledge, you might be missing the big picture during lecture or while reading the textbook. Have you considered outside review of prerequisite topics, at sites like khanacademy.com (short videos)?

There is no special approach which guarantees help for struggling math students because the reasons for struggling are different and so are people. If it takes a person a couple of years to become accomplished in algebra (due to personal timetables, motivation issues, family obligations, review, retakes, instruction issues), then that's just the way it is, for that person. My best suggestions are (1) do extra problems, (2) don't struggle for hours, before asking for help, and (3) hang in there! It does get better, with continued effort.

Cheers

 

[struggling]

I definitely need more practice.

there are only 4-5 repetitions if each new rule (to Me)before another is stacked on top.

"but not in this case because it's a negative" types of scenarios REALLY trip me, as it's very difficult to remember that one instance of situations three days later.

I can't blame the school really, even if I should. algebra for people that have never needed it in 40+ years of enjoying life, is nothing but a very temporary, very troublesome annoyance, which simply will not be used again until the next degree is attempted, and a higher math is again a prerequisite.

buy anyway, I'll use your advice, and thank you for it. in partially sad that there are so many outside sources needed to accomplish what a paid course is supposed to teach. not for myself, but for the complete failure of the education system to

know how to teach


is 4am, and I'm up to review psych and micro. I have learned study directly before/after sleep is very productive, and an exploring its benefits at every quiet opportunity.
. thanks again