College Algebra Research Paper
Even though college algebra is considered to be an obstacle for many students in terms of degree completion, as teachers we must teach useful strategies to motivate our students to find interest in mathematics. Recently, there is a psychological problem that we as teachers will face in the future, which is that some students believe they were born incompetent in math. However, “effort is key to their success and failure is a result of a lack of effort” (Cortes-Suarez, 2004). As teachers, we must motivate students that are in denial to improve their mathematical skills to prevent poor academic performance. For that reason, attempts to reshape the educational system could help break the cycle of self-blame that several students possess in order
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The reason behind this is due to “untold numbers of students failing algebra” (2012). He claimed that “requiring algebra tends for students to hate mathematics” due to the numerous times retaking this class until they eventually dropout (2012). Society tends to dislike concepts they do not understand and if the students are not well prepared to take algebra, they might even quit college. Nevertheless, Hacker’s research indicates that “our society would collapse without mathematics” (2012). There is a vital need for improvement in our frontiers by using proper “algebraic algorithms” found in movies, investments, and airline tickets prices, which need to be solved (Hacker, 2012). Hacker’s research also states that “mathematics sharpens our minds” and improves our intellectual capacities. However, from his point of view, instead of requiring algebra courses, colleges must consider “quantitative reasoning” classes instead …show more content…
NCTM Standards show that “mathematical power” is required in order for students to perform effectively in a “variety of authentic settings,” such as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees that require critical thinking skills (Steen, 1992). Algebra viewed from a student’s perspective grants effective problem solving skills, meaning it allows students to seek a correct process and find the precise solution. In order to understand the concept behind algebra, we must first analyze the problem given, understand what the problem seeks to find, reflect on the information given, and take into account the conditions that are presented. Through this thought process, we can then plan our strategy to solve a problem. This approach is useful not only in mathematics, but in other concepts as well. In algebra, logical thinking skills are used to make sense or make connections within a problem in order to find a
The reason behind this is due to “untold numbers of students failing algebra” (2012). He claimed that “requiring algebra tends for students to hate mathematics” due to the numerous times retaking this class until they eventually dropout (2012). Society tends to dislike concepts they do not understand and if the students are not well prepared to take algebra, they might even quit college. Nevertheless, Hacker’s research indicates that “our society would collapse without mathematics” (2012). There is a vital need for improvement in our frontiers by using proper “algebraic algorithms” found in movies, investments, and airline tickets prices, which need to be solved (Hacker, 2012). Hacker’s research also states that “mathematics sharpens our minds” and improves our intellectual capacities. However, from his point of view, instead of requiring algebra courses, colleges must consider “quantitative reasoning” classes instead …show more content…
NCTM Standards show that “mathematical power” is required in order for students to perform effectively in a “variety of authentic settings,” such as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees that require critical thinking skills (Steen, 1992). Algebra viewed from a student’s perspective grants effective problem solving skills, meaning it allows students to seek a correct process and find the precise solution. In order to understand the concept behind algebra, we must first analyze the problem given, understand what the problem seeks to find, reflect on the information given, and take into account the conditions that are presented. Through this thought process, we can then plan our strategy to solve a problem. This approach is useful not only in mathematics, but in other concepts as well. In algebra, logical thinking skills are used to make sense or make connections within a problem in order to find a