Mathematics is not difficult

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:

 

1. You need to encourage interest in Math..I will help you.
2. You must understand the concept first. You must have strong foundation in the concept then you can do any Math problems with ease.
3. Pay full attention in the class.
4. Always ask questions whenever you don’t understand any topic. Don’t be shy…you are still in learning process.
5. Practice…practice…practice…after all, practice makes perfect. There is no other way to be good in Math but practice.
6. Form a study group so that you will not feel lonely when you don’t understand anything. Seek help from your friends or me.
7. 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.