To help female elementary students overcome computer anxiety (similar to math anxiety) and thereby promote equal use of computers by both sexes, principals should enhance girls' self-concepts concerning computers, provide computer literacy training, and expand girls' career goals. (Author/RW)

This paper discusses the problems associated with mathematics anxiety, and provides detailed information on the history and structure of the Mathematics Anxiety Program at the University of Minnesota. The seven parts concern: (1) the Continuing Education for Women Program, (2) the development of the Math Anxiety Program, (3) the symptoms of…

Problems facing gifted females include sex role stereotyping and math and science avoidance. Strategies to deal with these problems include advanced placement courses, homogeneous grouping, and career counseling. (CL)

The inhibiting effect of symbols on the learning of mathematics is discussed. (MK)

For many students, the longer they are in school, the less they trust in their ability to do math and fail to see why math is important to know. How can middle and secondary school educators turn that tendency around? Teachers can explore how their colleagues are answering that question and improving math programs in grades 7-12 in this next…

Teachers' negative impressions of college mathematics correlate with negative feelings about teaching mathematics. Includes an inventory of 20 questions to determine whether teachers perceive flexibility as a factor that can facilitate the effective teaching of mathematics. (MLF)

Excerpts from a guide for college students in conquering mathematics anxiety are presented. Selections, reconfigured for counselor and advisor use, offer coping techniques for overcoming fear of mathematics, the conviction that mathematics is a White male domain, and the assumption that one cannot be good in both mathematics and language arts.…

Unfortunately, many students have negative feelings toward mathematics that can lead to math anxiety and subsequent poor performance in or avoidance of mathematics classes. These feelings may have been brought about by negative math classroom experiences, negative parental attitudes toward math, or societal stereotyping of mathematics. The notions…

This book about mathematics anxiety focuses on many factors in society that bring about fear and avoidance of mathematics, and the influence of these factors on various groups in the population. The book begins with several stories of people who have suffered from or overcome mathematics anxiety, followed by a chapter giving reasons for overcoming…

Discusses the presence of math anxiety in otherwise gifted secondary students. It suggests the use of bibliotherapy and offers a sample lesson plan focused on the children's book, "Math Curse," to help students see mathematics as a tool for making life easier. An appendix provides an annotated listing of teacher resources on math anxiety. (DB)

Discusses the implementation of a family math night. Describes three activities for the night: (1) graphing; (2) estimation; and (3) problem solving. Provides two references. (YP)

Preventing math anxiety begins by helping teachers confront and control their own fears of math through the use of counseling therapy and mathematics instruction. The article describes techniques to help math-anxious teachers deal with approach-avoidance conflicts in the classroom and lists guidelines for creating anxiety-free math classes. (JDD)

Describes math anxiety, explaining roadblocks to mathematics success; discussing strategies for overcoming anxiety (e.g., parent involvement, teacher sensitivity, and peer tutoring); and examining the influence of learning styles on mathematics achievement and attitudes. Mathematics teachers must identify students' problems in mathematics, work…

Presented are four fact sheets relating to mathematics education topics and which were produced by the ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education in 1981. Fact sheet topics are: (1) Females and Mathematics, (2) The Problem of Problem Solving, (3) Mathematics Teacher Supply and Demand, and (4) Microcomputers and…

Until age 11 or 12 children haven't reached the stage of abstract reasoning, therefore explanations of math concepts need a concrete, hands-on focus. Several learning activities, rooted in real life situations, are suggested to parents to help children understand math concepts; thereby easing anxiety and promoting enjoyment of math. (IAH)