How to motivate students to learn maths

In many ways mathematics is the `problem subject` in the curriculum. No other subject seems to draw so much dislike, so much disdain, than mathematics. `I`ve never understood maths,` seems to be a refrain uttered by so many pupils and adults, as if their very way of thinking is congenitally impervious to the subject.

Unlike other subjects, mathematics often presents a particular form of intimidation, which leads many to students to glumly accept they will simply never get along with it, no matter how hard they try.

This kind of barrier can be hugely problematical for a teacher - they can deal with a pupil not understanding something, but if the pupil has convinced themselves they will never make progress, then they have a greater challenge on their hands.

What is it though, that leads to some pupils sailing ahead in the subject, and other being left behind? Some of the brightest children, who excel in their other subjects, will preform badly in mathematics  - so to say it`s simply a question of intelligence seems an unsatisfactory answer.

I was a maths teacher for many years, and in my opinion the problem is that many of our students are not being taught the foundations of mathematics properly. Unlike other subjects, where learning takes place in a somewhat linear fashion - history being the obvious example - mathematics relies on knowledge built upon knowledge. Not knowing that Edward the Confessor died in 1066 wont preclude the pupil from knowing Henry the eight died died in 1547; but not understanding basic algebra will inhibit the student moving onwards to learn about calculus.

I believe the teaching of mathematics needs to organised in such a way that, from the earliest years, every student fully understands the concepts being taught. Of course this sounds rather idealised, and the case could be made that the same theory should be applied to each subject. In a perfect world no student would leave a classroom without fully comprehending everything they were taught in there. In mathematics however, each level of knowledge is crucial if the pupil is to progress, so its all the more important that misunderstandings are caught early.

How can students be motivated to learn mathematics? As the old adage goes: educate a pupil to be curious, and they will become their own teacher. For so many pupils who struggle with the subject, the problem is that they can`t see any connection between mathematics and the real world. Apart from a few dull questions about calculating compound interest, and working out the distance someone has travelled if they are going at a certain speed for a certain period of time, many students simply don`t see how mathematics has deep connections to many aspects of the world.

The teacher should strive to reveal to their pupils how mathematical patterns can be seen throughout nature, from the patterns made by snowflakes, to the spirals of distant galaxies. The tessellating cells of honeycomb inside beehives naturally form into hexagons, while interlocking bubbles also form hexagons at their intersecting surfaces - examples such as these will help pupils see mathematics at work in nature, and hopefully change their perception of the subject.

Instead of using using hackneyed examples about money and distances, the teacher could focus a lessen around music, something every student is certainly interested in. They could spend some time on the musical scale, where different notes are tuned according to basic fractional ratios, the octave being the doubling of an initial frequency, the perfect fifth being multiplying the initial frequency by 3/2, and the perfect forth multiplying by 4/3. In this way the students will experience ratios and fractions in a new way. No advanced knowledge of music is needed, and there will be plenty of online videos providing audio of these basic musical ratios that are the building blocks of every song.

Another way pupils can be motivated is to employ game-based learning. These are applications specifically designed to help pupils who are struggling with mathematics. Of course many pupils enjoy playing computer games, often to the detriment of their studies! So why not use that interest of theirs, and use it to help them learn. There are numerous online free learning platforms that will have a host of maths based games.

Students may have endured years of dry, academic maths lessons, slogging through page after page of text book questions. In this kind of learning environment its no wonder many of them simply switch off, having convinced themselves years ago that they have no interest in mathematics. If you can highlight the exciting side of mathematics, you will engage their interest. Special effects in movies, cell phone technology, encryption - even gears and cog ratios in cars, these are all things that rely upon mathematics. If you can pique their interest they will become more attentive during lessons, and seek out knowledge on their own.