Appendix 2

Appendix 2:

Raw Data

Student Responses

to teacher request

for essay

Material based on the statement,

"I hate Math because. . ."

or

"I need to take this class because. . ."

All students were registered

for Math 080

Summer 1994 on Campus.

Summer 1995 one section

at the Air Force Base,

one section on campus.

Summer 1996 one section

at Minot Air Force Base,

and one section on Campus.

Art Rude

Copyright 1997

Campus Class, Summer '94

Note: I have left in grammatical errors made by the students in their original document to try to preserve the integrity of the student's comments as much as possible. I have removed the actual names to preserve confidentiality. I find the students stories, at times compelling.

Student A

"I didn't enjoy Algebra because we were given a choice whether we wanted to take a math class that involved basic math or an Algebra class in high school. A lot of individuals including myself chose the easy way and took the basic math class. Now today I regret not taking the algebra class because I need some basic background behind the concepts and I do not know what I should of learnt before.

I tried taking the 100 class to see if I could learn everything as we went on chapter by chapter, but I soon found that I was lost and could not learn the information as well and fast as I wanted too. I hope to get alot out of this class because if I learnt the basic concepts I know I would enjoy the class alot more."

Student B

"In the 5th grade, I recieved a nasty blow to the head; a nasty concussion. We were learning fractions, so on and so forth. It slowed me down a lot. I don't know if that really had anything to do with it but it's always seemed that my problems in math started there. English, Social studies, etc. were always very easy for me. I suppose it put me way behind and I just never caught up."

Student C

"I had no problem with basic math until 4th grade. My third grade teacher was 85 years old and not very instructive, so I must have fallen behind. In the 4th grade, I found I was behind in multiplication tables. Mrs. "Z" advised my parents when I earned my first poor grade of a "D", that I couldn't do math well. I must have believed that statement, as I found math a struggle from that point. I did manage to get through high school AlgI & II with C Grades, but ultimately quit College as a Direct Result of not being able to pass Alg. 120. After 3 tries (I was in college in Louisiana at the time), I gave up. It may be of interest that even after 15 years of leaving college, I recently had a hightmare about failing Alg 120 and not dropping the course in time. I then realized that it was time to conquer this fear and go back and get by degree. I refuse to fail again."

Student D

"My Math Anxiety occurred when I was in the third grade. I was petrified of my teacher & I was called upon to stand and answer a problem which I was unable to complete. I started to cry & felt totally humiliated. Ever since that time I have had difficulty with numbers. Learning to tell time was even difficult. I realized it was a true phobia when I had to count change back to a customer & my hands started shaking & my mouth & entire throat became so dry I felt I would choke. I could relate to everything you've talked about today, I feel I would have a great deal of confidence in myself if ever I could get over the math phobia. I need the science courses, i.e. Chemistry etc."

Student E

"I do not like math because I learn math very slowly. I took 080 this past semester. Chapters 1 & 2 were "OK"! In chapters 3&4 I really got lost. (I spent 3-6 hrs per day in 080) In grade school I remember starting to work in fractions & whoever answered first got the candy she was using. Needless to say, I never got any candy! In 9th grade I took General Math by correspondance to avoid algebra. I did not go to college after high school because I did not want to do math. Here I am many years later as a freshman in college! Time changes many things. If I can get through Algebra 120 I can do anything, and, I will do it. I am taking this class to catch what I did not catch last spring. This fall I am going into 100 with much fear. I hate math & am terrified of it. To make matters worse I have a 10 AM Lab on Thursdays which I cannot skip so I will be absent each Thursday from this class."

Student G

"I don't like math mainly because I don't understand it very well. I did well as a student in school on most of my subjects, but math was my hardest and lowest grade. I had 2 years of algebra in high school (long time ago!) and "just got by" with lots of help from friends and a teacher that graded on a curve." As you heard me say, I have even shied away from helping my kids with even some elementary math. I send them to their older brothers & sisters, with the idea I don't understand all this "new" math so I can't do it. I did take this class only because I felt I needed this & 100 to ever get thru the 120 I need, but I would really like to learn it and understand it. I always thought, from what I've seen & heard, if you understand it & "get" it from the start you're okay. If not, you're lost, and I guess I was lost!"

Student H

"I cannot seem to remember equations, multiplication tables past 5 min. from when it's shown to me. My GATB is lower 5th grade level, almost every experience I've had when it comes to formal math has been lousy. I don't even remember liking to count in lower grade school. I personally believe I'm LD somehow but can't get help in testing for it. I've been a bookeeper, camera tech, ang front end manager dealing with money in stores. If I have a calculator or adding machine for basics I'm fine. Otherwize its just pure frustration. I went to 9th grade math at Ryan HS. I had an F but the teacher gave me a D grade so I could go to N.Y. with my parents that summer instead of summer school. I also flunked out of the adult learning center 2 years ago."

Student I

"I've always liked math (numbers). In high school I even got "A". Surprize! My freshman year I was introduced to Algebra. I hated the class. I saw no reason to change all those interesting numbers to a + b =. I've survived for years without it. Now I face the challenge of it being a requirement to recieve my degree. I've never been a quitter. I'll do this!"

Student J

"My math (Algebra) anxiety began in Jr. High with Mr. "X" who felt playing "matchmaker" in class was great fun & only caused those of us not in the "in" group or from the "wrong side of the tracks" to be ridiculed. Onward to high school & Coach "Y" who had a freshman class of only 10 students so instead of really teaching, chose to watch videos of his basketball team & of course we were niave and thought, "great! a free - ride". I have applied Business Math very successfully in my previous career of real estate. I have successfully worked to submit loans to banks, design computer spread sheets & apply math to everyday things. Algebra is not logical to me. I would like to be able to go from this class to 110 & skip 100 because of financial & time restraints. This is my goal."

Student K

"Third grade and Mrs. X was the beginning, I remember it vividly. I can still see her standing over me with her bird beak nose and that muscle that always twitched in her cheek. It seemed she had it in for me. My family was alcoholic and abusive and I feel my self esteem was incredibly low, as it is still today some days more than others. I always took criticism hard and still do something I work on every day. School from the third grade was not a positive experience for me. I guess I just thought I wasn't very good at it but I kept at it almost two years into college, when I just decided to leave.

It's thirty years later and now I'm back for my degree and hoefully graduate school. Math does seem to be an obstacle. I started in 080 to hoefully learn from the beginning, and that math will be a positive experience."

Student L

"I didn't have to take any kind of Algebra when in High School. I played sports in a small town and didn't do well in regular math so they put me in general math so I wouldn't fail and not be able to play. I don't know if I could have dome it or not. All I know is I can't help my children do thier math home work, plus I'm required to take math 120 to graduate. So I thought I should start with this class, to learn the basics."

Student M

"I've "cowboyed" most of all my life and getting older I needed to find a new career field. I've taken math 100 last spring and dropped it. Being stubborn, I continued with the class but the material being taught was not applicable to my situation. In other words, Help!"

Campus Class '95

Student A

"I don't hate math but I dislike it very much. I think it all started back in grade school. I liked math and found it even then a challenge and I love a challenge, until the teacher one day brought out "Flashcards" and made sort of a game out of it. When the first person in the far end of the room would stand beside the person behind him and see who could blurt out the answer first and whoever won would then go on, it wasn't that I didn't know the answers, I just never had the opportunity to win just once, and I think back then every kid wants to be able to win at least once. I believe that this is where my anxiety for math began and then continued on through high school where the dreaded "don't pick me", or the going up to the blackboard became the ultimate of all humiliation. Especially when you're inches away from one another, and it seems as though everyone's chalk is hitting the board so fast and so loud it was not only hard to concentrate but became a frustration I did not want to go through at all!

Then there was this teacher saying keep your eyes on your own problem, then the whizes would put there arms up on the board as if that was going to make me feel at ease, c 'mon, by this time the chalk was melting in my hand and so I write down some numbers which I have no idea where they came from and sit down last as usual. This made me hate math and try my hardest to get out of any math courses I could. Then I graduate and have no desire to go to college, I marry a farmer and end up five years later divorced and alone with two children. I decide to better myself and after some maturing decide to take on the challenge of college and find out about this rotten Algebra Class I have to take to graduate. Great! Anxiety here I come. And that is why I am in this class and am glad I'm not the only one feeling these feelings of Anxiety and am not the oldest. Ha! Ha!"

Student B

One of the main reasons I am afraid of "Algebra" is because I've never had it before. It's unexplored for me, so I feel a little insecure about it. I don't hate other math, but when I look at all the formulas with letters instead of numbers, as in Algebra, I become nervous and feel I don't understand, so I've avoided it all these years because when I was in High school it was not a requirement to graduate, so I never bothered with it, not knowing that one day I would regret it.

Actually to be truthful. I feel I have been disadvantaged because of the teachers I've had all through High School. We didn't have a lot of classes to choose from, much less teachers that seemed to enjoy their work. I cannot recall having a favorite teacher in "High School", but I've had 3 or 4 favorites in elementary.

I guess my favorite subject in high school was English, mostly because we kept a lot of journals and I love to write. My least favorite subject was Political Science. So basically, I just have an insecurity for Algebra and need to overcome it."

Student C

Sr. XYZ was my favorite teacher. She had come from Pennsylvania in 1903, at the age of 18, to Christianize the Indians at Elbowwoods. Sr. XYZ was a woman of clear purpose: she believed that we were in school to learn, and that she was there to make sure we did. Political Science, Geography, Latin - no matter what I studied under her, she always made sure that I understood what she was teaching and what was expected of me. She was studying Russian, her 17th language when I last visited her on her 101st birthday.

Three other teachers stand out in my memory: Mrs. S, in 3rd grade, because she loved me; Sr. B in Science, who turned learning what I thought would be difficult into a great adventure; and Sr. R, in English, who pulled the best out of me, encouraging me to express myself through writing.

My worst teacher was Mr. H, who taught Algebra during my 7th and 8th grades. (I don't remember ever thinking much about math one way or another up to that point.) Mr H was the boys' basketball coach. (We didn't have girls' basketball back then.) It seems to me in retrospect, that Mr. H paid attention in class to the boys and the cheerleader - type girls. I, on the other hand, was skinny and shy, not a boy, and definitely not cute or popular. I somehow felt like I didn't fit into Mr. H's scheme of things; like I was "less than" the others there; attendance in his class became an increasingly difficult ordeal. Ever since then, I just haven't wanted much to do with Algebra."

Student D

"I am not sure I do not like Mathematics as much as I am scared of Mathematics and scared of what I do not know, I suppose the most obvious reason is failure, but I am not sure that is the biggest part. The last time I even gave math an attempt, Academically that is, is when I was a freshman in high school. Now, as not to date myself too much, I will just say that I have been out of school longer than I was in. There, that was not too painful. Now back to the subject. I dread Math, It does not come easily to me, but I do believe that I can achieve a good grade in this class. It will be a lot of work and as you said in class it would be a good thing to know. I am a person who has a hard time remembering things if I don't know why something is what it is and what for. This probably pertains to, (as you mentioned in class today) not having an instructor apply what we are learning to real life situations. My freshman year in high school was my first and last (until now) attempt at Algebra. In high school I had debated whether or not I should take Algebra or General math. I attended a small school and had went to school with this same group of kids for years. Academically, I considered our group to be divided into four categories. First came the brains, which I was not a part of, second came the kids that obtained as good of grades as the brains, but had to work for it, I did not fit into this category either, third came the kids that worked but came up a little short (B's, C's and D's), this is the category I fell into. And finally, the fourth category was the kids that put no effort into school at all. I went into the Algebra class knowing full well where I fit, but never the less I would give it a try. The fourth group I described above went to general math so now I was at the bottom of the class. I was still determined to learn this math. Within the first week of class I began to have trouble. I sought help form the teacher in the time provided before the end of the hour. This teacher was a single male, coach and as you described in class (I did not fit into his social class), he did not have the time for me nor did he want to take the time for me. He basically told me I would not understand the material and left it at that. Needless to say, I did not return to Algebra class and finished my math credit with general math.

I wish I had the confidence then as I do now, I would have never let this underclass teacher, damage an already shaky academic esteem. It is amazing the impact a teacher can make on a student's life. After graduation from college, I will be placing an announcement in my hometown local newspaper in reference to the completion of my degree. There will be a few people surprised. Little did they know I had it the whole time."

Student E

"It all started when I transferred from (a North Dakota) High School to a high school in Dallas, Texas.

When I transferred from ND to Dallas, I was taking Introduction to Agriculture. When I arrived in Dallas, they misread my records and put me into Algebra in the middle of the year. They thought that Intro. to Ag. meant Intro to Algebra. I was lost big-time. After a month or so I was placed back into a General Math class and was doing just fine.

Two years later I transferred to (another North Dakota) High School. I started taking Algebra as a Junior in high school. I was always pretty good at Math but Found Algebra to be hard. It wasn't long before I started to copy other people's assignments. The more I copied the further I fell behind. It wasn't long before I didn't have a clue to what I was doing.

I wasn't successful at Algebra for many other reasons as well. I was never interested in school. The older I because the less I was interested. I didn't care about school and didn't apply myself.

It wasn't until I joined the Army that I became interested in learning."

Student G

"From the time I started school, it was my favorite place to be. I enjoyed learning and it came fairly easily for me.

I didn't experience any problems with Math until I entered Jr. High School. The teacher was a tough one but he was fair and willing to help and explain what he was covering. I even went to Summer School one year - not because I was failing but because I felt it would give me a better feel for the subject that had begun to cause me some "discomfort". This was a new experience for me, struggling with a class.

When I started High School. I really began to struggle with Math. My Algebra teacher was fun-loving, out- going person, but did not seem to be reachable for those of us who were having trouble. Times at home were also not the greatest. My stepfather was a very demanding man who was difficult to please and would accept no less than perfect. My teacher was also involved with coaching so it was understandable that his favorites were the athletes and cheerleaders, I was neither. This also made him unapproachable to me. So I took the regents exam in Algebra and failed it by a point; nonetheless, I didn't pass. I took it again the following year from another teacher and passed the exam. I did take Geometry and squeaked through to pass that exam also. I graduated from High School with a Regents Diploma, so I know that I am capable. My grades since starting college also prove that I am capable, so. . . Mr. Rude, I challenge you to help me get passed this hurdle and look forward to our journey. I trust that it will be both pleasant and exciting."

Student H

I can't say that I hate Math because that isn't the case. I have to work at it a little harder than the average person, but that doesn't make the subject unpleasant.

My reasons for taking Math 080 are different than most. First of all, I've been out of school for 20 yrs. and don't remember how to do anything except the basic add, subtract and divide. After being married for 16 yrs, I'm now divorced and going to college so I can get a better paying job. My major, nursing requires a higher math - something I just don't know how to do.

I guess the most important reason for my taking this math is my kids. I have a daughter in high school and it really makes me feel terrible when she asks me to help her with her Algebra and I don't know how.

Hopefully, this course will prepare me for the math that I need and when my son gets older I'll be able to help him with his home work with no problem."

Student I

Like most other children in the lower grades I always liked Math class or Arithmatic as we called it back in the rockin' fifties.

In the third grade I had a wonderful teacher whose name was Miss D. She was not only a teacher but a friend and counselor to her students. She was the type of person who didn't judge children on their IQ or social status. I determined from the first day of class to do what ever it took to make her proud of me. It seemed that everyone enjoyed Math class in the third grade. Learning your multiplication tables became a game of cards and everyone had their own personal set. You even were allowed to take them home and play with your Dad while you were out fishing, which in my case was every weekend. Then there were the gold stars that were placed on the chart in front of the room. How could anyone not like Math?

My fourth grade began with a bang. A few days before school started I decided to take my horse and ride through a team of boys playing baseball in a field near my house. Needless to say, it was not the most intelligent thing I've ever done. The boys were determined to ignore that there was a horse and a sassy little fourth grader on the field so the game continued. The foul ball hit my horse, Smokey, and away he went. The only problem was I was holding on for dear life to the reins. After being dragged a quarter of a mile, one's face tends to take on the look of a boxer that lost. The first day of class I met the dreaded new teacher, Miss S, which we fondly called Miss Shotgun. There was no compassion in her heart for sassy little nine year old with scabs on her face, so I went to the chalkboard with everyone else to do problems. Boys will be boys, and they teased and pointed. My first priority was to finish the problem as fast as possible and get back to my desk near the back. If you didn't understand a problem you needed to go up front to the teacher's desk and ask questions. Forget that, there was no way I was about to do that. I'm not really sure, but that seems to be the beginning of my opinion of, Math! Who needs it?

Although I always received A's and B's in Math all the way through school, I never really liked it. My very favorite subject has always been English and Literature. In the 9th grade I had a wonderful teacher who taught us Shakespere for nine weeks, sentence by sentence. I can honestly say, I enjoyed that class more than any other I have ever taken. Mr. N had a way of bringing Shakespere alive right in the classroom.

So you see, teachers do have an effect on the lives of their students long after that child has grown. Not surprisingly, my children have all loved drama and speech class and most of them despised the M word M-A-T-H!!!!"

Base Class '95

Student AA

"Why I don't hate Math. I like it I just don't have the experience in it. I am very anxious to learn it. I am taking this class to reinforce the basic foundation. I have had up to what was called Pre-Algebra in 10th grade and that was 13 yrs. ago."

Student BB

"The question of why I hate math cause me to think about three areas of my personality that I would like to share. They are education history, confidence level and my lack of discipline on my part toward education. I also would like to mention that I do not really hate math. I have some reservation about it. I do look forward to learning.

First lets take a look at my education history. I started out the 7th grade as a math "expert". I enjoyed math class. My adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, was excellent. I was able to maintain a A average. By the 8th and 9th grade fraction was introduced. I struggle some with fractions. I do not think it was because it was to hard. I realize that girls, sports, and it was not to cool to be too smart in school during those age years. By the time I entered into high school, I developed a system of how to maintain average grades without doing to much work. Maintain a C average in math without learning. I also believe that the quality of education was not the best available at that time. What I mean is that there was not much encouragement from teachers, coaches, or parent on education. I used that as a excuse not to push myself. I know better now!!

The discipline that it takes to work toward obtaining a college degree is something I have neglected for over 12 years. I plan to not allow that to continue to hinder what I need to do today. So lets buckle down and get to work. Math is a challenging subject that will require me to be challenged."

Student CC

"Now that you've rattled my brain cells, I do have bad memories of math teachers in my younger years. In 8th grade my teacher would come by and flick you in the head if he didn't feel you were paying attention or didn't know the answer. In 9th grade my teacher would hit you with a ruler or kick you in the leg if he felt you needed a boost, as he walked by. More recently I took Math 100 last year. I've always been in accounting and bookkeeping jobs and always been able to tackle anything I put my mind to so why not "Math 100"? By the second class I was lost and told the teacher I felt it best if I dropped. The teachers response was "don't drop out, you can do it and I'll spend extra time with you." My second mistake because he never would help me, after all the other students weren't having that hard of a time, and I was falling further and further behind. I then went and bought a computer program to help me. It didn't help, so I bought a self teach book and got a tutor. I was still lost. I approached the teacher again and again he would just tell me to read the highlighted portions in the book and do more problems. I was spending every extra minute on Algebra and letting my other class fall behind. I actually was so overwhelmed that my eyes would start filling with tears before I could get to my car after class. Finally, I threw in the towel and quit going to class. After a couple weeks the teacher asked the class if anyone knew me to tell me to come back to class and he would help me. Well I came back to class and still received no help. To end this story I finished the class with a "D" which I didn't deserve. Although I didn't have to pay back my grant my GPA did suffer. I feel that algebra was not only a big mind game but a fatal blow to my self-esteem.

So I will keep saying, "I believe" and will remember the blanks and pieces of candy bars. It just can't be as hard as I've made it out to be in the past.

P.S. Letters don't belong with numbers in math (smiley face)"

Student DD

As a military brat growing up in the 60's and 70's, I moved a lot. I was in several poor school systems. i.e. DOD's military system overseas, and southern schools that are still rated as some of the lowest in the country. I had some pitiful teacher's, including my 11th grade Algebra teacher who was having a nervous breakdown. I had trouble grasping mathematical concepts and I never seemed to have a teacher who could explain them in terms I could understand. I began to think I just was not inclined toward math. Over the years I picked up bits and pieces of other concepts, such as people being more left or right brain oriented, in other words linear or abstract thinkers. Naturally, I considered myself an abstractionist. Even later I learned about people being visual or auditory processors and I considered myself to be auditory. I now realize I was too young to appreciate the importance of the information being offered to me so I didn't give my full attention or effort. Hopefully as I've grow older, I've also grown wiser and more receptive."

Student EE

"To say that I hate math or algebra would not be correct. The fact of the matter is that in my job I use math quit allot. The reason I do not like algebra was answered in the Tuesday night class. The letters are nothing but blanks. However, fractions are still confusing to me. I think my main problem is I still don't understand how to add fractions or transform them into decimals. Also in all of my high school years I cannot remember any of my math teachers making the class any fun, which I feel must happen if anyone is going really learn the subject in any class. I do however hope that when I pass this class (Math 080) that I will be able to pass my Math 100 and Math 120 with a good grade."

Student GG

"The reason why I hate math so much is, in ninth grade I had a teacher who was maybe 5 ft. 3 in. tall. I believe this man had a problem with that because he was always trying to prove he was a "big" person to the high school students. The major problem was I was 6 ft. tall, and if you were a larger kid you were harassed even more. One day I didn't understand what was going on so I asked. At this time I was called to the board and told to do this problem. Naturally, I got the question wrong. The teacher then told me it was wrong, and showed what the answer was without explaining how he came to the answer. I then was told to perform another Question. I was of course wrong again! At this time I was told I was stupid and I informed him he was short! because I was so mad. After that I was pretty much harassed, if even acknowledged."

Student HH

"I do not hate math, but am frustrated by it. At a rather early age I learned that my great grandfather, HH, had been a famous mathematician who had taught at the University of Cincinnati and published books and papers including "Foundation of the Theory of Algebraic Numbers". My maternal grandfather, HS, was a chemistry Professor who taught at the University of Virginia. With these math genes floating around I was sure, in my eyes, to have inherited some of the family math ability. Imagine my frustration when, following grade school, I found myself hardly able to keep up with my math class and feeling even more behind in high school Algebra and Geometry. To make matters even worse, my twin sister seemed to have the family math genes. When I was struggling with Geometry, she was taking Calculus.

Although I had difficulty in math, I did manage to pass Algebra and Geometry in high school and completed a four year degree and student teaching from Western Washington University. My inability to grasp math, however, has made life challenging at times and has even caused me to make career decisions based on taking fewer math classes in college. I am now an over thirty student, the mother of four year old twin boys, and interested in going back to school for another degree (Elementary Education). I would like to not only understand where I failed to "catch on" in math, but also to remedy this situation."

Student II

"Math became my nemesis early in my life. I just didn't always speak up and tell the teachers, "Hey, I didn't get that, slow down!" I always thought I'd learn that little detail later; that lead to a lot of details. This caused much self-inflicted stress and doubts.

Then to increase the stress level a few notches, New Math was introduced. Wow, it really had a great ring to it or so I kept telling myself. This was such a great idea that the teachers held meetings to teach this to the parents so they could bequeath this knowledge to their kids. But, quite a few parents had trouble understanding this new stuff, but that was because they had learned math the "old" way and couldn't accept this information as readily. This added more weight to my spirit because to me, it just didn't seem a bit easier. I exuded a veneer of self-confidence, because everyone "looked" as though they understood too. So, over the years I managed to stay as far away as possible from math classes.

Well, now that I'm older, I like to think of myself as a renaissance woman, but without mastering this fear of Algebra I can never really adopt that moniker. I remember reading some place that E. Gordon Liddy was one of the great confronters of fear. He feared rats, so he ate one to overcome his fear. I have to give Algebra another shot, so here I am. This has to be easier than eating a rat. Maybe?"

Student JJ

"I really can't say that I hate Algebra because I have had very little of it. I don't hate it but I am leery of it because I didn't have Algebra in high school, and I feel like I didn't receive the mathematical education that I should have.

I went to Minot High School and back then all that was required to graduate was a General Math course which I had in the ninth grade. I feel that to a certain extent it was my fault that I didn't have Algebra in high school, because at that time I didn't care for school, and felt kind of inferior to some of the other kids that were in Algebra classes. At that time all I wanted to do was graduate anyway possible.

I feel that even though I am leery of Algebra, I am confident that I can learn it. I cant say that I have had problems with it if I haven't been exposed to it that much."

Student KK

"I am a middle child of five children. Both parents were working, although, my father drank most of the money made. Today it is called, "Dysfunctional Family," then, I called it keeping sane. Late afternoons were full of yelling and fights between my three brothers against my father. So . . evenings there were too many worries and action to sleep. This means, I admit to physically being at school, but not mentally being alert. (That was twenty years ago).

I remember the counselors saying I would make a good housewife. I always wished I could work in a hospital and help people. I did not take classes as algebra, biology, or other courses many teachers of today seem to 'generalize' all students today have done by college age.

Math, I admit, intimidates me. I agree most any "newness" or situation can be intimidating. But, I have been known to try and not quit a new challenge. Mr. T was a high school teacher who said that, "Try, don't quit a new challenge, it's better than quitting before you try and never know you're strength. He was a good teacher. He was approachable. In my opinion that was important. It was a real concern for his students that we all felt. Genuine not pushed. Mr. T did not outwardly pressure anyone with anothers ability. We were all left feeling 'capable'.

Poor Mr. R was a teacher who was used to older students and now was teaching two grades lower. He was not a happy man and his 'lack of involvement' showed. I felt sorry for his situation but I did not appreciate his coldness to the class and his "pity me.. it's everyone's fault but mine attitude". At least in my 20 year reunion this summer that's still how he's remembered. Math or any class was a waste of (mind) time with him.

Today there are so many changes! I have been a housewife too long. It's my doing that my husband has been allowed to isolate my knowledge of what's taken for granted. For example . . computers, simple socializing with adults and not children, college! books, old fashion values as respect, consideration, and moral values. You see . . . I am going through tuff strong changes. I have kept my vows and just been proven my husband hasn't. This takes away a lot of self-esteem and it can bring doubt to one's ability of judgement. There's more than the adultery, but that's a long story. Therefore, I am in school trying to rebuild my mind and stay myself without bitterness.

I want some type of degree. When I was young this age of 38, I had planned to be charge nurse of the surgery clinic. For now, it is climb each hill till I see the land. Math 080 now . . . some day . . . Who knows?"

Student LL

"I think I began to hate math in fourth grade. I remember having chicken pox and missing school. When I returned I had lots of make up work along with regular assignments. Without any help with past assignments, I didn't understand the current ones. The class moved on as I fell further behind. When my teacher realized I was so far behind, she moved my desk into the hall. I sat there most of the day until she finally came out of class. She expected me to turn in all my past work right then, of course I wasn't done with it. I remember her screaming at me, telling me how stupid I was and finally, she slapped my face. Later that year she went to Jamestown Mental Hospital. Our class assumed she had been fired because she'd treated other students badly also.

The next few years were alright for math until seventh grade. Out first year math teacher refused to answer questions or give help after the first example. He believed that if you read the book you should understand it. None out of eighteen people failed that year. My parents realized how devastated I was and sent me to MSU to retake the class with a tutor in summer school. I got an "A", yes I was happy! Unfortunately, I had the same teacher for eighth grade math. I struggled through that year also. My freshman year the principal didn't allow anyone who had failed seventh or eighth grade math to take Algebra I. We were put into Pre-Algebra. This class was viewed by other students and some teachers for people who were mentally deficient. Finally I was able to take Algebra my junior year, with my little brother. My confidence to do well in math was low, and competing against my brother for good grades made things worse. Imagine how I felt when lowly freshmen were doing better than me. . . a junior! At that time age was a big deal! When I reached college I took business math. Needless to say, that thru outside influences, I was lead to believe I wasn't capable of doing well in math.

Being an older than average student, school in general scares me. I'm a nursing major, a lot of math and sciences are needed to be accepted into the nursing program. I know the battle I'll have with myself until I graduate, will be harder than any class I take. I want to thank you for your insight on this assignment. As hard as it was to write, I understand your reasoning in trying to make a fresh start and develop a positive attitude. I know this will have been worth it, when the "light bulb" clicks on!"

Student MM

"To start this topic I would like to say that I resent the implication that I am attending this class because I hate Algebra. I could give a thousand reasons why I am here but I cannot relate any of them to a specific "I hate Math/Algebra" reason.

There are reasons for taking basic algebra formed in my mind. It's been 20 years since I graduated from high school. Twenty years that have made me smart enough to realize that indeed, I am not familiar enough with this subject to compete with a younger generation who have more recently mastered this process. Twenty years that hve made me realize that I may have been one of the 80% you quoted as saying were sleeping through the high school algebra lessons. Twenty years that have made me smart enough to realize that it's been 20 years and I need a refresher course to help bring back algebra terminology and processes. Because I am sure the process is used to solve problems every day, I am smart enough to realize that I need to be refreshed as to the basic terminology and process in order to press on with higher levels of this education. Because I feel knowledgeable enough to realize these limitations on my part I feel that I must let it be known that I feel a bit slighted by the assumption that I attend 080 Algebra due to the fact that I hate Math or Algebra. That, to me, is simply not the case."

Student NN

"First, I never really hated math. Algebra is not the most hated subject with me, but it is not my favorite subject either. I saw it as one of those subjects that you had to take to get through school. So I made the best of it and went on, but not understanding what good it would do me in my future. While in Jr. High School, a student in my algebra class asked our teacher, "What good is algebra?" Wour teacher explained the everyday reasons for using algebra and then I realized why algebra is so important. Now I ask myself, "What good is History to mu future?"

Sure I had times of extreme frustration with algebra but who hasn't. In those times of frustration it was only because I was lost in what we were doing. With algebra you have to understand the level you are studying to be able to move on to the next level. If I don't understand the process and we move on, that is when I become frustrated, simply because I'm lost. It could be any subject, English or Science, if I don't understand I get frustrated with it.

My first class of algebra was when I was in seventh grade. The only thing I knew about algebra was what my brother had told me, "You will hate algebra!" During that year I didn't understand much but I tried. The next two years of algebra I had a great teacher. He didn't sing or dance around the room to make us understand. He was very soft spoken and patiently explain ituntil he was blue in the face. He would show us how to do an equation and tell us to review it in out head over and over. His theory must have worked with me, because I recieived decent grad4es in his class.

In high school, algebra was more challenging for me and it showed by my grades, which started to slide down hill. Also, my friends started to become more important to me than school. By the second year of high school algebra, I had algebra anxiety. I had let myself get behind and I was extremely frustrated so I decided that I had had enough of that stuff.

My major is radiology. I'm required to take pre-calculus. It has been 11 years since I took algebra, and I realize that I need to start at the basic level to work my way to calculus. this time I am older and more serious about life, I'm in school now because I want to be there. I realize algebra will take a lot of time, but I am willing to work at it. I believe in myself and I know I CAN do it!"

Student OO

"The only math class I took in high school was general class. This was back in my freshman year, and I found it to be somewhat easy. We did addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, fractions, things like this. I enjoyed this because it seemed easy. The teacher was very likeable and taught us what we needed to know. I managed a B in this class. I felt I did not need Algebra at this time, and as of that point, I had no aspirations of going on to college.

As I got older I realized I did want to further my education, and I really wished I had taken Math further in high school. Because now I had to take the dreaded college Algebra to get my degree. I started out in my college math journey in General Math to brush up on my math skills, I did okay in that it was pretty easy. Then, I took a few years off. When I attempted "Beginning Algebra", the teacher was really bad. He went too fast and assumed we all understood. I felt overwhelemed and could not grasp it so I dropped the course.

So, a few years leater I again attempted beginning Algebra thru a video course this time. I did alright with help from my Math Whiz husband. Then I tried Intermediate Algebra, I barely got halfway thru and had to drop it cause I could not grasp it.

Now, a few years later I am once again starting over at the basic level to refresh and learn Algebra. This time I am committed to completing my math requirement. I am going to take it one step at a time.

I guess I don't hate Math, I just hate not understanding Algebra. That is what I hope to gain, an understanding and possibly an appreciation of it."

Student PP

"Math has always been a difficult subject. Numbers and teachers move so fast, I always felt I was 2 days behind the class. We never stayed on any one problem long enough to really understand it. Moving on to the next problem before what I learned really set into my brain.

As for Algebra, I've never had the course. In high school I took basic and business Math. So I don't know the first thing about it, except my oldest daughter had it in 8th grade and just bearly passed the course. I felt sure she'd be in summer school, instead of me in basic Algebra. Watching her and my husband sitting at the dinning room table every night going over and over algebra just makes me wonder if I can do it."

Student QQ

"I hate math because I hate to be wrong. My father was perfect, his father was probably perfect also. In my house growing up their was nothing worse that not having an answer. In math you cannot guess. There is no such thing as "close enough". There are no short cuts. And no amount of BS is going to be an answer.

Math is not like other subjects, where if you are given an essay question you can get by with only knowing some of the facts. It is as you put it, steps. If you don't learn the steps you cannot complete the problem. I do life like I do my other subjects. I get what I can when I'm having a good day and use it to get by on. I don't worry about what I've nussed because there isn't a specific answer anywhere but math.

I do hope to learn from math how to use steps in the rest of my life. I always make rash decisions to avoid the uncomfortable feeling of not having an answer. If I learn the steps to solving math problems, maybe I will learn to give myself time to reach decisions."

Student RR

"I am not sure if I hate Math or Math hates me. Over the years I've had several Algebra classes but they don't stay with me. In High School I had pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II. In college I had a self-study coarse and then several years later I also took an Algebra course at New Mexico State University (equivalent of Math 100 at Minot State University). Then last fall I went twice a week to the Adult Education Center in town to refresh my Algebra skills before tackling a College Algebra class. I am not afraid of Math but I don't seem to build a good foundation in Algebra so I have no confidence in Math. After all the classes, I'm convinced that Math hates me since I keep trying to learn."

Student SS

"I don't hate math. Math is very useful in my life. I balance my check-book without a calculator (sometimes). I use math when I "Calculate" how many laps I've run, how many I have left to equal three miles. Sometimes I even use fractions.

In high school, though, I was smart enough to get "C's" without ever having to study. But math was a different story. As a freshman I had to study pretty hard to pass "General Math". I felt like I was so far behind everyone wlse in the classroom, literally as well as in "ability". I sat in the bach of the classroom and I couldn't see the board. (I needed glasses, but could not afford them), plus only "geeks" sat in front.

As a sophomore, I took Pre-Algebra because it's all I needed to graduate. I failed it. Then as a Junior I had to take it again, with Freshmen, because by then the criteria for some graduates had changed. I passed with a "C-".

I had the same mentality as a lot of other kiks did when it came to math, and even Algebra, I'm never going to use it in real life.

I decided to join the Air Force. I had to take an "ASVAB" test in order to go in. It was similar to a "CAT" test, but way more difficult. The graphs, logic and word problems, "If a train is going at the speed of light and a bus is moving at 150 mph, which one. . .", I think it was such a traumatic experience, that I blocked most of it from memory. My dad and little brother ganged up on me and were trying to explain the problems (I had told them about the test) to me over and over again. They made me feel like a brainless bafoon when I couldn't catch on.

Then I marry a Math Whiz-lover. When it comes to math he's like, "how can you not understand it, "blah, blah, blah. . . ", and he even jokes around and says I can't add 2+2.

That's how my fear of math came about. Pretty simple, huh?"

Campus Class Summer '96

Student A

I have never ever enjoyed math. I have had difficulty from day one. When I was in grade school I felt I needed more time to learn the material because it never seemed to sink in. I was pushed from grade to grade barely making a "D".

By the time I was in junior high I was at my wits end I could not understand anything. Grade 9 was my worst year. I was told by my teacher I would never amount to much because I could not master math.

So after this I basically figured I was stupid and could never ever get math. In high school I took general math because that is all I felt I could do. Now that I am at MSU I am a lot older. I would really like to erase the past and be given a second chance to be successful. I am hoping to be able to make a decent grade, finally.

Student B

I need Math because Math is an essential tool for everyday living. We all need to know and use math. I do it all of the time. Such examples are when you are at the grocery store, you may have a number of different items that you need to have a rough estimate on how much you are spending before you reach the till. Important to remember that you cannot always rely upon calculators or computers because they can make mistakes. If you could not do math you could be spending more money that what is necessary if the till did make a mistake. Math can be also enjoyable and fun once you are confident and learn to enjoy it. Its not as difficult as most people perceive it to be. It just requires patience and an open mind.

Student C

The reason I decided to take this class was to get back to the basics. I want to do well in all my classes and not flunk any of them. I need Math 120 to get my degree. I have been out of school for almost 20 years. There is a lot that I have forgotten. I don't want to be lost in the class. This class will get my mind working and flowing again. I need to build up my confidence again so I don't want to feel so stupid among the brains of the class.

I want to relearn the thing I once knew. I think once I go through this class I will build my knowledge and confidence up so I can finish the steps as you told us in class. I am taking math 100 next semester. I learned from doing the same thing with English. I started with English 100 and then went to English 101. I did a lot better and that is why I am taking this class.

Student D

I need to take this math class because of course, I need to go on to 120. I'll always remember when I was in the second grade. I was ill with a cold and missed subtraction. Unfortunately I ended up with a "D" in the second grade. Looking back at my report cards I still think "what a dummy!" Over the years I got along in math O.K. I only needed to take math until the tenth grade. I was not interested in school then and I think my subconscious mind tells me that I'll never understand math because I got a "D" in the second grade so why even try later in life.

Now it is different!!! I know I can learn math, I want to, just to show myself that I am not dumb. I've had a really bad last 15 months. I lost my 17 month old son to cancer and I think that he is helping me in the right direction. I am majoring in nursing and I have a long road ahead of me. I want to help other sick children and/or their families.

Thank you for being such an easy going person who understands that we (the students) are not incompetent because we chose to take Math 080.

Student E

Its not that I hate math its just that I tend to shy away from things I don't understand and are uncomfortable with. It has been nearly 17 years since I took General Math in school and sometimes it seems as if my 10 year old daughter knows more about math than I do.

I tried the 100 class for a very short time but I got lost and bailed before I suffocated completely. This 080 class will definitely insure positive experiences in my algebraic future.

Student G

I've always liked math and algebra. I had a good algebra teacher in tenth grade and I made decent grades. That was Algebra I. But I dropped out of school after I finished tenth grade to see how it was on my own.

I've been out of school for about three years. I received my GED last year, and decided that going to college was the only way to a good career. I never learned any Geometry or anything past Algebra I in high school, so I figured Math 080 is good to start with, then I can build up to Algebra 120.

Student H

I've had no problem in any kind of math until 10th grade. In fact math was my favorite subject until 10th grade, that is until I met 10th grade Algebra. 10th grade Algebra ruined my chances of graduating from high school. I hated it so much, I decided to change my classes and I got so mixed up in my studies, I just quit.

I had no interest in taking any algebra anywhere, so I decided to try for my GED, and you wanna know what was my test in math, you guessed it Algebra. I passed my math test, and it was one of my highest scores. I was thinking if I can pass that, I think I could do well in college.

Student I

I need to take this class because, I am starting my college career 20 years after high school and in high school I only took a General Math or the minimum requirement to graduate. This makes me very unprepared for Algebra 120 so I am in Algebra 080 this summer already registered for Algebra 100 this fall and instead to use these 2 classes to prepare me for Algebra 120 next winter.

I am far behind many others in my math skills, but instead to catch up and I need to get good grades in Math to continue my 4.0 Average and to continue to get tuition Reimbursement from my employer I need to maintain Good Grades.

Student J

I hate math because my LD made it so hard. Math teachers always said I wasn't trying hard enough or I was too lazy. (This was before I was discovered to be LD) They just soured all math for me.

It was very frustrating because I tried so hard with such little reward (if any). I worked 3 times harder for 1/3 of the output.

Base Class '96

Student A

I see myself as a mirror image of your student A, on the handout you gave us Tuesday. I took the easiest class to get through High School, and that was it. Then I tried Math 100 in College and there was no way I could walk out of there still holding my head high.

So the reason I need to take this class is because I have never had any Algebra before and I need to learn it.

Student B

It had only been the last few years that I have begun to dislike Math. I remember always enjoying it until I reached tenth grade. I failed Algebra that year and again the following year. My Senior year I started in the regents class and dropped down two levels to general. I took Math 080 a couple of years ago when I started college and did great until we get to conversions. After this I got frustrated and stopped going to the class and didn't show for the exam so here I am again. Math is a challenge for me which I actually like.

Student C

"I hate math because. . " . . . This isn't really a true statement. What it should read is this: "I Fear Math Because . . ."

Why? Because I've never had a math course called Algebra. No, really! I was great in school until the 8th grade. Then "it" happened, my parents divorced. Life as I knew it suddenly stopped. Between the 8th and 11th grade I went to 9 different schools. I was passed back a forth between parents who really couldn't get their own lives together, much less keep track of their four children's lives. So, in a nut shell. I got my GED (passed first time), got a job in the Air Force and never had Algebra. Amazing isn't it? I'm now approaching 17 years in the Air Force and I need Math 20 for both of my associate degrees, which will help me get promoted to senior master sergeant, yet I'm retiring shortly, and my goal now is to attain a BS in Elementary Education. Eventually receiving a Master's Degree in Education and hopefully to land a job at a community college. That's my story and I have to stick to it. . no other choice. . . Life, huh? . .

Student D

I hate math because. . . Well, I can't say that I hate math, because I happen to like math. As far as I can remember, I've always liked working with numbers. I could sit for hours at home balancing our checkbook. My husband would get angry with me at times, because I would sit at the desk for hours crunching numbers and trying to figure a way to better our budget. In high school I received very good grades in Algebra I and II. My experiences with math in high school were good ones. I think the reason I liked math so much was because of the challenges math problems gave me. I think my only downfall in math was word problems. I always had trouble with them. I couldn't do them without someone explaining them to me. I came from a small school, so the teachers were more able to instruct students one-on-one, which I feel helped me a lot. I've been consciously done Algebra in eight years. I feel this course will refresh my memory and help me regain the confidence I once had in high school.

Student E

In High School I had this basic theory that if you took easy classes that you would be just as graduated as those individuals who took more challenging ones. To prove my theory, I chose to take just what I needed to get my diploma. Guess what? My theory worked. I had the same diploma as those who chose to take the more difficult classes. However, the problem with using your self as a guinea pig is you may face some serious side effects. One such side effect is graduating high school with math skills less than or equal to that of a crash dummy.

Here I find my self fifteen years later needing to get my college degree and I don't have the basic tools needed to concur college algebra. Faced with the dilemma of trying to CLEP something that I know nothing about and learning nothing, or going back to the basics, I chose the later of the two options. So here I am, trying to get smart about math.

Student G

In elementary school I enjoyed basic math and always felt a surge of pleasure upon solving a difficult story problem. Upon entering my high school freshman algebra class, I felt confident that I was ready for the net step in math - Algebra! My confidence was short lived when I realized that I was in a class consisting mostly of boys ( most girls were advised to take "general math" as that was all that was required to attend vocational school), and my male teacher, an alcoholic, ignored the girls. I quickly lost interest in the class and probably did not pay as much attention as I should have. I stuck with the class and at the end of the year had a "C" average.

After high school graduation, I got married and started having children. Last year, my youngest child started first grade. . . and I started college . . . something I had put off too long. I am nearly finished with my general education classes and the math 120 is sitting right smack in my path towards a degree in Elementary Education. Considering I am an "older than average" college freshman, I have done remarkably well in all of my classes. I realize that in order to do well in math 120, I need to start with the basics - so here I am!

I have always been able to help my children with their homework; however, my oldest son is starting 7th grade next year and beginning algebra. I would like to be able to have enough knowledge in the subject to help him if he should need it.

Eighteen years ago my "C" in algebra prevented me from graduating from high school with honors, hopefully I can understand college algebra, achieve a good grade, and change my negative view of algebra to be positive.

Student H

I hate Math and I need this class both apply to me. To be honest I really do hate math probably because:

1. I have survived 40 some odd years without Algebra, and

2. I never had a sound Algebra background. I believe I failed it in 9 or 10th grade, I can't remember. When I was in grade school in the mid 60's, the nuns I had called it "new" math and they were not qualified to teach it which put me at a disadvantage in public high school. This probably set the stage for my poor math skills. I got thru high school with passing general math.

There are several factors that brought me to Math 080:

First, being I don't have a clue about Algebra

2. I was trying to figure a % of fat on a box of some food problem and felt useless.

3. I want to be a nurse at MSU so I need Math 120

4. My daughter is going to be learning Math and I sure would like to be able to help her. (although she knew about 75% of what you were talking about in the class and was whispering the answers to me, so she might help me.

5. As you spoke about developing the "Math" part of my brain can only help me in other areas, even though I have survived to 40 some odd years very well, thank you, without Algebra--But I realize my weakness and am very excited to learn and frankly I don't care if I appear to be real dumb to my fellow students. I've put myself on a time table and plan to take 100 in the Fall and 120 in the spring. Doing the exercises I realize I might have to rearrange that, but I'm receptive to your instruction, and hopefully I can stay on track.

Student I

I need to take this class because I would like to earn an "A" in Math 120. I'm not real confident that I can achieve this goal without starting from the beginning. In high school I was given the honors of enrolling in Regents Math. I fell behind because all of the other students knew most of the material. I got a "D" in the class. I never took another Algebra class, until now. I actually like Math.

Student J

I need to take this class because I've never had Algebra in high school but somehow I remember being taught this long ago. I don't have any pre-conceptions about Algebra. I do dislike Math in general. I think there are many reasons why I'm not great at math.

In school my mother used to give me most of my answers. Then when she wasn't around I would ask my father and he would sit at the dining room table trying to explain it to me. My father was very impatient. He would get frustrated and angry at me when I didn't understand. As upset and frustrated as I got all I wanted was for the assignment to be done. So later on I usually went to my mom for the answers and tried to avoid my dad. I managed to make it here to Algebra 080 and now I have to learn it all on my own if I'm ever going to achieve my degree.

I can see already that I have to constantly look back at the examples to remember which fractions to invert or which ones need a common denominator. Although I do have a positive attitude and with a good instructor that's all I need to achieve what I set my mind to. I hope I'm not talking myself up too much. Of coarse I have my doubts, but with work I believe I can succeed.

So, I'll strive for an "A" and if I receive a little less I will still be satisfied at the progress I have made in math after all these years.

Student K

I took Algebra in 8th grade summer school, Algebra I and II and received "B's". This was 20 years ago. I completed my Math requirement for graduation and I've never counted since then! Of course this is a joke, but, what isn't a joke is my lack of "functional" skills to continue with a college level math course. Achieving a comfortability with basic Algebraic functions seems challenging, rewarding, and moreover, personally gratifying.

Thanks.

P.S. I hate Math because of Test Anxiety. . . Although, its getting better!

Student L

I need to take this class for several reasons. Mainly because I need to pass Math 120, but also because I'd like to improve my math skills. As a college graduate (as I hope to become), it is necessary to be educated in all areas, as far as general requirements are concerned.

Initially, I couldn't understand why it was important to take Math 120 if my major wasn't Math. Then, I tried to imagine what it would be like if I were a Doctor or lawyer who couldn't read and write or do basic Algebra. That's when it all began to make sense.

So even if I didn't need Math 120, I'd be here anyway. The best part is, when my daughter needs help in math, I can be there for her.

Student M

I really can't say that I hate math. I took Algebra in high school and passed with a "D". I've been avoiding Algebra for the last two years; but now I only have a few select classes left before applying to the nursing program. So here I am.

I see math as a systematically, structured and mechanical subject. "For every known equation, there is a known solution." I'm referring to the high-school and undergraduate levels. Where's the action, drama, or calorie reduction?

Everyone needs to expand their knowledge and math plays a part. My problem is that I find math very unappealing.

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