Mathematics is not
difficult
By: Marini
Dear my beloved students,
Mathematics
is just numbers, so you don’t have to be afraid of them. They will not harm
you. I can understand that most of you
don’t like Mathematics because it is difficult. Most of my students don’t have
interest in this subject. Well, maybe I know that feelings (since I never felt
that way before so I don’t really know the feelings)…but I do feel Mathematics
is difficult but it never fade my passionate towards it. I love Mathematics not
because I am good at it; after all I am not a genius in Math.
Let me
tell you a strory…a strory of why I love Math so much. It started when I was in
primary school. My Math teacher’s name is Cikgu Huda. She was so strict when
she taught us Math. If we cannot answer the questions she would become an
Incredible Hulk, made us scared of her with her loud voice and stomping rotan
on our desk. We were felt shock every time she did that to us. I have the same
teacher with the same method of teaching…Mrs. Chia. She was too “fierce”…just
by looking at her face it could make our body shaking. I will feel so scared
every Math period. I still can remember I always got punishment from
her…scolded by her…
Psychologically, when we were taught in that
way it will make us hate of the subject because we hate the teacher but it
didn’t happen to me. I didn’t mind getting scolded, being punished, humiliated
in front of my friends because that teachers taught me Math very well. I can
remember most of the lessons UNTIL now! I believe if my teachers were so gentle
when taught us, maybe I will not become Math teacher. Haha…
The
learning environment was different when I was in UiTM. I had to take Math
subject until 5 semesters (in diploma) and every semester (in degree) and THANK
YOU to my ex-teachers… because of them I was excellent in this subject. I
obtained awards for “Hari Kecemerlangan Matematik” in my faculty almost every
semester because I obtained A in this subject. What I meant by different
environment is my ex-lecturers were not “fierce”. I can recall a few of their
names: Dr. Arsmah, Datin Harbans, Puan Hasnah, Puan Jamilah, Puan Rohana, Dr.
Maheran, Puan Nurul Iizzah, Puan Masita, Dr. Daud. They taught us with
different ways when I learnt Math in my primary and secondary school. They
taught with a gentle way because they treated us as an adult not like a child
anymore. However, they were so dedicated while delivering the lesson so I can
fully understand Math although it was higher level of Math.
In
conclusion, I was taught in Math with 2 different ways…with the hard way and
with the gentle way. These two methods were effective to me. So I could
understand that the hard way is suitable for primary and secondary school
students and the gentle way is suitable for IPTA’s students. That is what we
call as pedagogy and andragogy.
My
teaching method is by using andragogy. I will treat you as an adult..,you are
an adult after all. That is why you will see me as a cool person, never get
angry easily and always trying to be your friends instead of your teacher. I
will try to teach you Math as dedicated as my teachers/lecturers were. I want
to show you the beauty of Math and I will prove to you that Math is so simple.
It is not even so difficult, but you have to play your own role. I will be playing
my role as well. You need to help yourself then I will help you. Here what you
have to do to be excellent in my subject:
You need to encourage interest in Math..I will
help you.
You must understand the concept first. You must
have strong foundation in the concept then you can do any Math problems with
ease.
Pay full attention in the class.
Always ask questions whenever you don’t
understand any topic. Don’t be shy…you are still in learning process.
Practice…practice…practice…after all, practice
makes perfect. There is no other way to be good in Math but practice.
Form a study group so that you will not feel
lonely when you don’t understand anything. Seek help from your friends or me.
Teach others…if you teach your friends you will
become more expert. Trust me on this… I have been through it.
Good luck to you. I know you can do it. I have full
confidence in you but you have to be confidence in yourself first. I will do
whatever it takes so that you will pass Math with flying colours… I love you.
