Myth Busters!

MYTH: Learning math is about memorizing the steps.

"Mathematics is not about remembering lots of details, it is about thinking deeply and making connections. Many students get the incorrect idea that math is all about memorizing methods, but an international study of 15 year olds showed that a memorization approach is the LEAST effective approach to learning mathematics. Here's a link to an article on the study. Great Mathematical breakthroughs often come from creative, flexible thinking- drawing, building, and writing all help with mathematical ideas." -Jo Boaler

MYTH: If I am struggling I am bad at math.

"You WANT to be struggling and finding work hard. When you make a mistake and struggle your brain GROWS!!!"

-Jo Boaler

Would going to the gym and lifting toothpicks help you get stronger? Sure, it would feel easy, but you wouldn't be getting stronger at all.

MYTH: If I do work quickly I'm good at math!

"Many mathematicians work slowly because they think deeply rather than quickly. Award-winning mathematician Laurent Schwartz talked about feeling stupid when he was in school because he was a slow thinker. When you work on math go for understanding and depth over speed!" - Jo Boaler

MYTH: Some people are just 'Math People' and I'm just not.

"There's no such thing as a "math person"- everyone has the potential to learn math to the highest levels.

This is how we grow our "math brain." When we learn, one of three things happen:

  1. We grow a new brain pathway;

  2. A brain pathway becomes stronger; or

  3. Different brain pathways connect."

-Jo Boaler

Myth: How I feel about math doesn't make any difference.

"Research has shown that if you believe in yourself and you make a mistake, your brain responds with more activity and brain growth than if you don't believe in yourself. Always remember that you can learning anything!"

- Jo Boaler

Jo Boaler is a professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University and a leader in Math Education.