How you can be good at math, and other surprising facts about learning | Jo Boaler | TEDxStanford

You have probably heard people say they are just bad at math, or perhaps you yourself feel like you are not “a math person.” Not so, says Stanford mathematics education professor Jo Boaler, who shares the brain research showing that with the right teaching and messages, we can all be good at math. Not only that, our brains operate differently when we believe in ourselves. Boaler gives hope to the the mathematically fearful or challenged, shows a pathway to success, and brings into question the very basics of how our teachers approach what should be a rewarding experience for all children and adults.
Jo Boaler is a professor of mathematics education at Stanford and the co-founder of YouCubed, which provides resources and ideas to inspire and excite students about mathematics. She is also the author of the first massive open online course on mathematics teaching and learning. Her book Experiencing School Mathematics won the Outstanding Book of the Year award for education in Britain. A recipient of a National Science Foundation "early career award"' she was recently named by BBC as one of the eight educators changing the face of education.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@samgaekwad]

This reminds me of that quote: "The Master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried."

[@oogabooga7383]

Beautiful thank you for this

[@Surfing566]

@@oogabooga7383 I needed this I need to get better at maths, I can do this and so can you!

[@oogabooga7383]

@@Surfing566 haha I'm so desperate I actually thought about enrolling into kumon and kid version me would've thought that was blasphemous

[@ayushbhoir7336]

Thats so beautiful One of the best things I've ever read in my entire life ❤

[@adarsh915]

super

[@JoaDrath]

Watching this instead of studying for my math test.

[@faridakafarova2580]

literally me right now

[@TheKrasTel]

Same here

[@funtime4761]

Joakim D that's me

[@eugenejuarez342]

Me too... trying to find some inspiration :)

[@LeprosuGnome]

that's not a bad thing

[@ericpabon2458]

IM GOING TO BECOME BATMAN. HE WAS TERRIFIED OF BATS . SO HE BECAME A BAT. I HATE AND WAS ALWAYS SCARED OF MATH. IM GOING TO BE A MATH MAN. ILL BE POWERFUL

[@callummiller5874]

Eric Pabon Now that is what I call: "Believing in oneself"! Keep at it brother, you will make it, as will I :) (I guess that will make me your sidekick: Robin or your competitor: The Riddler) ha ha

[@Arinaretina]

This cracked me up

[@sparklesparkle3370]

Math man

[@oren9836]

HEY WASSUP MATH MAN. HOW ARE U NOW? GOOD LUCK ON UR MATH JOURNEY!!!

[@goldenbear13]

how did it go? 🐸

[@SuperNeowiz]

I remember I used to be really bad, I suck on math all the time in elementary and high school. I barely passed them. Then as I grew into college year and decided I liked engineering school. But... maths and physics were there and I was affraid I was not gonna make it. I even thought of giving up. Luckily I went to a full review with an oustanding professor who had a very particular way of teaching, it was very easy to understand. I even started saying to myself, wow i am actually very good. And then when I took the admission test for college, I was one of the best scores. It was an 8/10. Never got more than C in american score. Now i am in engineering school.

[@Olivia-kz7zs]

always keep pushing yourself! this is inspiring for someone

[@mbznanodesu11]

This is me right now. I'm studying physics and i almost cried during my exam because i hardly knew anything despite studying. I'm failing my classes and i'm losing all hope. I feel like such a failure and i even considered suicide because of too much stress. Thank you for inspiring me. :) Godbless. Wish you all the best!

[@michaelmusic6296]

What kind of physics are you studying?

[@legendarydaddy4127]

i really hope you will make it good luck ! :D don't give up i love maths and physics i want to study this all the time i hope i can make it too im still in high school 11th grade im 17

[@SilverHedgehog420]

you are my role model

[@Aikidoman06]

I sucked at math until my dad went off on me. He was a math teacher who left education to go back into the Army and Vietnam because he couldn't afford to feed his family in 1964. What he said changed my mind about math. He said, " Goddamnit! Math is the easiest subject in school! There's one answer. You can write an idea a million ways and science is always changing and evolving. Math is not a problem it's a puzzle. Solve the puzzle!" Math became a game, puzzle or quest to me. I didn't mind mistakes. I became very good at math. I chose to teach instead of becoming an engineer. Thanks Dad - but now I'm broke..... Love this video!

[@shakrosemusiq9301]

Aikidoman06 lol

[@throe68]

I'm retiring from the corporate world, and was looking into teaching...I thought about going back to school and getting a math degree, or getting the credential to teach, etc. I decided to talk to some local teachers, and every one of them, without exception, told me to run away from the idea. They said now it's about teaching the state tests to get the scores up for the district rather than learning. I was shocked at this. I live in flyover country, but do you find this in your area? Thanks,...

[@missyoothoudt8243]

i agree with this. As a student that was specifically taught standardized testing material. I am not good at math and they moved on with or without you. i passes my classes because i was trying. Students are just lumped together and its "sink or swim".

[@officialyoudes]

If you work as an Engineer you will get loads of money , use your logic

[@rafaelferreira7113]

Thanks for sharing this from your father!

[@marcusofthestoneage]

i sucked at math in school. but then i remembered i never studied or did homewrk lol

[@mvj1153]

Oh yea....that's why I'm not good at math either. I totally forgot. You just refreshed my memory. Good one!

[@danexour]

Yes me too.

[@alexquyenvo5196]

Love your sense of humor ! (Words from a high school math teacher haha...)

[@BL4NK_-]

You are me😶

[@Ensource]

This was me as well. I wish I had a good math teacher that enabled me to believe in my failures to grow future success...

[@Mathias3279]

Am I the only one here who used to be a year ahead in math and now finds math really hard and is failing the lowest level math class in the school?

[@jeyagithepoet5281]

I can relate.

[@mariamhassen3171]

John Hill I was once a promising student, now I am the lowest of the low.

[@dianaeshun5382]

John Hill same I was two years advance even finished all of my high school math during my sophomore years and after that started taking college math but know I don't remember how to do algebra.

[@billy.7113]

Because your school gave you easy exams and showed you the false reality. The Chinese or Singapore math exams will show your true color. The PSLE is harder than SAT.

[@dianaeshun5382]

Bill Y. No, I even took all those exams but I can do complex math like calculus bc, no problem but simple math is difficult for me.

[@MrDideg]

If when I make a mistake at maths I became better at it, I must be the best person at maths in the world.

[@evilmorty1440]

lol

[@funtime4761]

So true. Lol

[@johndemitrios6063]

*math

[@sebfarrell2628]

john prezas its maths, only people in the world that use the stupid term "math" are Americans

[@johndemitrios6063]

Well I guess this "American" prefers it his way. Just like we do with the rest of the world.

[@claudiacasson3522]

I went from D's and C's in yr 9 math to A+ Average in year 10 and going into specialist mathematics. It is all about the amount of effort and time that is put in. I decided I wanted to be good and I didn't let anything stop me. I didn't want to strive for mediocracy anymore.

[@ava246xz_3]

Me from B to A and then A to D

[@supercooldude824]

Honestly im starting to get really mad I am really bad at math but I want to be good at it. In class people always find it funny that I ask questions and do t understand anything even the dumbest kids in my class understand more than me sometimes ever since the beginning of the school year I have been studying math for a couple hours a day and every day I got back to school and still don’t understand anything but I won’t give up I’ll pass with an a in math this year even if I have to study another 3 hours

[@namehere2986]

@@supercooldude824 i hopw u pass with distinction or honours or whatever

[@harshshelar6014]

is she british

[@shayanahsan3245]

@@harshshelar6014 yes

[@arwenbarrett2642]

"I just studied for 4 hours" " I can do it!" "i believe!" "oops I made mistakes" "oops I'm failing high school math" but hey at least my brain got bigger.

[@TheHiroClaw123]

@k2 language analysis acquired, thanks sherlock.

[@TheHiroClaw123]

@k2 woah woah woah don't push your ideas of others onto others themselves. Although, I suppose I am quite the dummy dum. But that may just be a coincidence, eh? Edit: oh wait, I couldn't care less about mine or your so called cleverness. But, I do want to know how your point is relevant to the original post? It's not a mocking question, really. I'm just curious. Although, we could exchange insults again

[@TheHiroClaw123]

@k2 No. YOUR brother's shoelace ducks

[@parisortiz8731]

@k2 what.

[@mistyarya1017]

Exactly 😂

[@csnare1]

Believing in ourselves is the key. Get rid of negative self talk and certainly never use disparaging language with any child. I remember being at the blackboard putting up my solution to a homework problem in math while the student next to me stood next to a blank board. Our teacher asked him if he did the assigned homework problem. He said it was too hard. Our teacher replied, "if you know how to do it, it's easy." This applies to everything, doesn't it? With success we build self-confidence and are encouraged to do even more. You can do it! This attitude is the one to adopt.

[@MrKidgavilan]

very elementary criticism in math education; it is more complex than positive thinking and feel good philosophy .

[@hungkiet7535]

I want to be good at math

[@johnfedorov8089]

Just have to keep practicing and studying

[@hungkiet7535]

Yes,thanks bro

[@fatumaahmediskufilan1103]

I want to be good in math too its my favourite subject though l have some problems with radicls

[@abdulrahmanmohammed6352]

where are you

[@katepeim1522]

You can be good at anything!

[@ashleym9674]

I can't even imagine where I'd be now mathematically if I was just taught math in a creative, open way from the start. Now here I am struggling with algebra in college.

[@Poonam-ne6tt]

Same

[@thelasttimeitookashowerwas9108]

I'm struggling with arithmetic, algebra, geometry...basically everything.

[@bumblingarchaelogist8169]

​@@thelasttimeitookashowerwas9108 You should work on your foundation or get a tutor then, Math builds upon itself, also take the time to find which learning method is best for you, and go to khan academy or simila resources/KZbin channels. (for eg : Eddie Woo).

[@ericpabon2458]

MATH IS A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE. BUT THE WAY THEY TEACH IT IS. OH YOU GOT IT WRONG. YOU ARE WRONG !!!!!!!

[@thanksforreading33]

Eric Pabon Whata is wrong?

[@angelstarfire]

Why is it beautiful? I want to understand

[@magnuschanduru6173]

@@angelstarfire ru seriously asking this question

[@stacialmquist]

You are not wrong - getting a problem wrong does NOT make you wrong.

[@danksamosa3952]

Math is not a languages

[@BestKazooist]

God watching me watch this instead of finishing my math homework: He's a little confused, but he's got the spirit

[@cybersearcher1041]

Who else here watching TED talks instead of studying? Just remember “Time learning is time well spent.”

[@aparna9625]

Mee

[@RenyxGhoul]

this is called productive procrastination

[@brielleh2239]

This is my homework lol

[@zayedbiniqbal2797]

Me

[@danielayala3170]

I grew up believing math was not my strong suit. I have enroll in adults classes hoping to improve. I have serious problems with it. Makes me sad.

[@marciamarburykilpatrick8934]

Don't worry! You will get it! Just learn from your mistakes and you will persevere.

[@astronomyguy976]

Its like a language you have to learn The language of the universe" Neil

[@Cmurphy_27]

Daniel Ayala I'm going to calculus courses this summer to get an edge for college. Good luck

[@gamemandestroyer5606]

Yeah, its unfair that somebody is a genius who enjoys it and you can't :( I am on the same boat as you:)

[@runningfromabear8354]

+ Astronomy guy - I lived in Germany as a small child, with parents speaking German and English at home and didn't learn German in 4 years. I lived in England, my parents are English, I didn't learn English (first language) until I was put in speech therapy. I had ten years of speech therapy. My parents found I also had a problem with pattern recognition, numerical sense and struggled in numerous other areas. I was diagnosed with dyscalculia and dyslexia. I lived in Spain for 6 months, with my Spanish husband and his Spanish relatives. I really, really tried and so did they. They were convinced if they didn't speak English around me, I'd just learn Spanish. I didn't learn Spanish. You're right, math is a language. Some of us really struggle with language.

[@rj3937]

This talk needed a standing ovation! Kids are destroyed around the world by horrible teachers who 'teach' math as to memorize like history. We need more Jo Boaler.

[@fitha4474]

Exactly , I wonder why she dint get a standing ovation for such a profound talk

[@MrKidgavilan]

I have try a lot of things as teacher of math: reasoning as the center of the math practice, developing intuition, , manipulatives too, and a lot of times I failed at teaching my students... A lot of them did not payed attention, did not care... lot of reasons, not only bad teaching.

[@rj3937]

@@MrKidgavilan I suppose bringing solid interest of that subject or topic should be the main focus of teachers for any knowledge domain. These days one can learn almost anything online (provided enough resources). Schools works mostly for socializing, emotional intelligence and soft skills part. That said, 'learning how to learn' and having a real feel of why learning that topic is important should be apex aim of schooling.

[@lostinthesandsoftime7926]

“It was every man for himself.” Is probably my favorite description of a math classroom

[@faustinejudd775]

Thank you. I was "not a math person" until I found a book with all the steps to solving a quadratic equation in the margin and kept working the problems, getting them wrong, seeing the correct way to do it, tried it again, and again and again and became so confident that I went back and took pre-calculus - got a B! I built those brain paths - WOW Visual math is awesome, never hear of it before. I'm sold.

[@burnt_toastt]

Which book ???

[@banjobill311]

So there aren't maths brains. There's just "I believe I can do maths" brains.

[@Convexhull210]

No. There's free will. You cam choose to learn something or give up trying. No such thing as a math person.

[@patrickx2420]

I once levitated over Mt. Rushmore using this method.

[@RenyxGhoul]

the inquisitive and determined vs the I am confused so I will let it be and fail it because I decided to run the marathon having only ran 10 miles in the past month.

[@seyumt]

Creating that teaching is the hardest part.

[@broakland2]

Wonderful talk, I look forward to learning math, now that i'm almost 50!

[@dheerajchaithanya9574]

Never too late! ;)

[@kimberlybrown9086]

I started learning higher math at the age of 45! I didn't have this research but when I went back to school I decided that if I didn't understand I would make the teacher explain it again and if I needed additional help I would get tutoring...I didn't need to do any of that because I had "decided" that I could learn math! I am now a special ed math teacher!

[@broakland2]

Kimberly Brown Fantastic, thank you for sharing.

[@evilmorty1440]

you are still hot.

[@NeilBaylard]

Andrea Young 52 here keep it up!

[@AbhipshaSahuCoPrezIOFA]

About a year ago, I used to be straight up terrified of math. I couldn't solve basic math and at one point I nearly started crying while taking my exam because I couldn't understand anything at all and I was convinced I was going to fail. Fast forward to now. I decided to get a tutor so I could practice and I have a really good math teacher at school too and I decided to just try harder and today was my math exam and it went absolutely wonderfully. Sure, it was one math exam but I feel happy

[@author9]

"we all have to believe in ourselves to unlock our unlimited potential" really a golden words

[@alandangg]

I've always struggled in Math ever since middle school, now I'm a freshman in college taking calculus I. I studied so hard, I went to every SI session, took great notes, looked at youtube videos, and reviewed the study guides. I made a 79... with a 10 point curve. So I basically made a D. My major is computer science and it's so ironic how I am so bad at math but want to pursue a future in STEM, especially computer science which is so much math. I was planning on switching majors if I don't do good on this test next week. Watching this video made me realize how much I need to grow and open my head to the idea that I can do better. So starting tomorrow when I wake up I'm going to try extra hard to do this math thing right.

[@prod.lyelye]

So how goes it? 😃

[@alandangg]

@@prod.lyelye Passed all my advanced math classes, done 7 so far, 1 left Applied Cobinatorics. Its been a rough 3 years

[@marisortiz273]

That little boy's testimony is proof of the value of what she is teaching.

[@artwithshala9837]

I use to hate math but now i love it! Graduated three courses in math during highschool with a 100 Anything is possible when you really apply yourself

[@isaiahsimms6261]

This is really motivating and inspiring for me. I have always struggled with the subject since grade school, until today. Your message inspired me to believe in myself and to change the way I perceived math as a whole. My only hope, especially in academics, that those students that are really challenged with the subject will be given more attention and not leftout, because I have notice especially during my high school days that students who are having difficulty with the subject are not given much attention compared to those who are already good at it, when it should be the other way around. Everyone is smart, moreover, not everyone got a good learning foundation. If you are reading this, give yourself a chance to improve, stop doubting yourself, instead believe in yourself, I tell you, you will improve.

[@roberthiggins2241]

My life and my opinion agree. Born with Dyslexia, I dropped out of school at the beginning of the eleventh grade. Within only a few years, my decision to go back to school started my learning at a local communitive college. The following years were grueling. At first, learning was elusive and far from enjoyable. This experience helped me find a future based on the work ethics I discovered early in my years. The most significant mountain to cross was to learn, decipher the facts, the basics, and the truth. The result was teaching mathematics at three Universities, many communitive colleges, and a few middle schools. Finally, with a post-graduate degree, I was given the joy of a meaningful profession along with a topic that became my personal pleasure.

[@y4rwnnnnnnnn]

"Your brain grows when you make a mistake in math." Oh, thank you for teaching! I always wondered why I always had headaches in Math classes/exams and didn't have any headaches making any other things in my life!🙏🙏

[@tocu9808]

The case should expand as well to accomodate its content 🤔

[@kolokayla4899]

Smart people: *Studies for 2 minutes and gets a 100% on the test* Me: *Studies for 4 hours and gets a 70%*

[@asapb]

are you kidding,i have to study at least 6 hours a day for 3 days to get only a 5 in a maths exam

[@johnsergie3906]

@@asapb what is a 5?

[@asapb]

@@johnsergie3906 like 50%

[@cuteparrot1314]

@@asapb no that's what is after A but I don't know how you do it in the USA. I'm from Europe and in my country there are 6 marks 1,2 , 3,.4,.5,6.

[@wrednax8594]

Stop categorising yourself and others as "smart" or "not smart"

[@skateboardchampion1]

Math is very fun when you think of it as a game/puzzle. Always excelled at it in elementary, middle, but towards high school underestimated myself, didn't think I had the potential. Of course, I did, and even though it can be hard and complicated sometimes, learning from your mistake and figuring it out yourself the next time is such a satisfying feeling.

[@jhonnycgomez5101]

How you can be good at math, and other surprising facts about learning - Jo Boaler 00:11 "The math person myth" 01:21 "Mistakes" 02:26 "Believes and feelings" 03:58 Squares. 04:45 The growth 06:01 "Grows as squares" Thanks Jo.

[@toni8131]

thank u :)

[@shannonpanfilio-padden9253]

I am going to show this to my college math lab students tomorrow. They are students in a teacher education program. We have got to find a way for students to get excited about math!

[@lilac624]

One can improve his or her knowledge in Math with the growth mindset in mind. That's a powerful reminder for each of us. It's not too late to learn more.

[@dawnguest-johnson5736]

"we all have to believe in ourselves to unlock our unlimited potential" . after almost 20 years of teaching IMP, a teacher shadowed me for 3 weeks and said that was the first thing he noticed. That I was supporting students in believing in themselves because I believed in them! Love IMP. Wish other teachers knew the secret.

[@charlottemccullough8859]

My math teacher really out here *only* linking this video on the classroom and not saying anything🤧

[@nayi3087]

I wish I or my math teacher had seen this video when I was in high school. I struggled with math so much that I didn’t want anything to do with math. I’m still afraid of it…Now I want to start again and to give me another chance to appreciate the beauty of mathematics.

[@RaviYadav-bj6mw]

I was right so back in 2016... I was struggling a little in maths and my teacher used to constantly say "I'm weak/poor at maths" so much that her words started to become demotivating, ever since then my grades in maths wasnt good, and I always thought it all started from 2016 and I was right. Teacher's job to help students not to make them weak by demotivating

[@kathybonyun]

THANK YOU!!! I just watched this with my 4th grade son who is experiencing debilitating anxiety around math. So debilitating, in fact, that he shut down on his math state end-of-grade test in the spring last year and only answered 17 of 54 questions. Conversely, he scored the highest level possible on the reading test. The irony is all 17 he answered were correct! It is completely a mindset/belief issue (and some general anxiety mixed in). As we watched, he was fixated, and I believe he absorbed every word. He even raised his hand when you asked who has the idea you do not have a math brain! We will be referencing your video as we work through his perception of his math ability. Thank you again!

[@lisaswaboda3127]

Love, love your ideas, Jo. I've been a long-time fan and used your ideas as long as allowable. These days, I homeschool because schools are regimented. I have friends still stuck in public ed that are NOT PERMITTED to use these methods. They are regimented, observed, and directed to "teach" in a more structured, less thoughtful ways. Though I appreciate your push to get your ideas out to teachers, it's not the answer. You must get your ideas to administrators. When teachers are mandated with certain approaches, we are headed backwards, not forward in education. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE appeal to superintendents, and to the state level in the U.S.

[@youcubedatstanford2858]

We are running a course for 150 leaders (superintendents and others) this summer on campus and we meet with leaders all year round. We are trying!

[@TheKnowledgeShop]

We show this video to our students, teachers and families. Thank you to Jo Boaler we are a supporter of your work. Lets hope we can get this message through nationally!!

[@craigdunk]

This video changed the way I view math teaching and learning. Thank you for sharing this video. You belong. You make a difference. You matter. Thank you!

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great talk . Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@muradismailov9702]

Summing up the speech: you have to know 1) Believe in yourself and you will achieve more. 2) Make mistakes and you will be smarter. 3) Do be afraid to be as a child and if you want use your fingers while calculating i.e be creative. That's it.))))))

[@sallypeterson3171]

Jo Boaler's are being used at my college to help new students to help them realize they *Can* learn algebra. Growth mindset completely changed my point of view about learning math. Much more successful now!

[@mobiwarren]

Fantastic video! Looking forward to hearing Jo Boaler at CAMT in June in San Antonio, TX! From an excited and grateful math teacher

[@Lifeofxav]

This is amazing. This is exactly how I feel about math !!

[@DanielRamBeats]

Wow, if we have more teachers like her.. The world would be so dif :)

[@Akhil-Arora]

This makes sense. Typically when I take tests in math, the information I really retain comes from problems I get incorrect.

[@marynabas9658]

Watching this instead of learning math for my next month exam it’s extremely hard for me 😢😢

[@theiiconicmoon]

Bruh I just wanna learn maths cause I’m sick and tired of my teacher yelling at me in extra classes+ ppl saying I’m not gonna end up in a good highschool I’m also writing this comment with tears in my eyes

[@dream8461]

So how exactly can this video make me become good at math?

[@zennologyofeverything7265]

1. eliminating the belief that There is no such thing as a "math person". so your brain is good. 2. fixed vs growth mindset( i.e. latter one is very helpful). 3. making mistakes makes you grow 4. practice, practice practice. 5.??? 6. profit

[@Sungha-im5df]

Did you even watch the video...

[@beyourself4996]

Thank you! For the description I like math and I’ll understand it better.

[@InAMinMaths]

Looks like the method is subliminally trying to teach the binomial expansion intuitively and easily. Bravo. Especially compared to the car crash that is current methods (from someone who has studied and tried to improve this for 20+ years). Keep up the good work.

[@Babylon2060]

Make mathematics a "cool tend" and I guarantee that kids and adults alike will start improving their math skills.

[@specialknees6798]

My problem is that sometimes I don’t completely the concept before we move on. I need a lightbulb moment before I feel like I get it.

[@judymccarthy9423]

As a Junior Primary Teacher, we use concrete materials.I taught successfully fractions in Reception to year 2 . I failed every MAths exam at school, but onc e I filled in the gaps as a training teacher and later as a tutor, I loved it!

[@ysabellelaxamana]

I love Math!! It has become an important part of my life. I sometimes get confused and make mistakes but I always believed in myself after participating in different math contests since I was in 1st grade and that I will always get the right answer and understand it. I believe that no one is born a mathematician or a genius at math (not to offend anyone of course) because it only needs PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. I'm in 7th grade now and 13 yrs old and I love math til this day.

[@burnt_toastt]

How can i be good at it.

[@Madison22835]

This might change my point of view of math This is very helpful Thank you :D

[@michellemarie1197]

I used to be really good and used to love math but then in junior high I hated it, and this was because of placement issues so I stopped trying and it would just be boring to me, I hated that I was bad at it because you need to be good at math if you want to be good at science, also I hated that I was bad at it because I want to still finish college and earn my BS in engineering, all of the impressive and high paying majors involve a lot of math and science andi don't want to be mediocre, because I do have a competitive side to me, I hope I'll keep improving

[@krittikapaul355]

Honestly I hated maths as a younger kid, I did not see any point to it, any beauty in it until later when now, I'm in high school, I got to be a part of a math club and I was introduced to this beautiful side of math which is just experimentation and patterns... It, to say the least, is magical. I think most of our lives we spend so hard trying to get math right that we forget why we wanted to get it right in the first place.

[@ricksteward1011]

What you were saying about people's perception of their math ability reminds me of something I once heard about the Marine Corps. The marines are well known to be an elite military force. One time a marine DI was asked how the marines train that elite force. The DI said that what they did was take a group of average people, tell them they would become elite, then leave them free to live up to their own expectations of themselves.

[@gaudiumrome]

It's 2am but this would be interesting at any time

[@patrickx2420]

How about 2:31?

[@RATsnak3]

Teachers: *know making mistakes is really really good for us* Also teachers: “ya know, you have literally no future if you make any mistakes”

[@gravityfalls8439]

I used to fail in maths but just after being friends with people that love maths and solving basic maths problems for a couple of months i couldn't believe how amazing maths is

[@devondevon4366]

3:06 'Mistakes are really good' it grows your brain. if one has that mindset, he or she likely to be more patient when showing someone how to do math. Information really can affect how people behave when it comes to math (if one really believe that mistakes are good)

[@dianaeshun5382]

I told my teacher that I am a visual learner and he told me that there is no such thing.

[@aidand.7911]

Diana Eshun How....does one not know the types of learners and learning?

[@Kamil-nb1wo]

Diana Eshun that's right. In schools they often teach you that some people better learn through hearing, some through seeing and some through doing but that's absolutely not true. we learn all best if we do it ourselves and not sit around

[@IamRocque]

Gamezolum not truth I can't learn certain things sometimes I need to see it other times I'm better when I hear it

[@jonassholmberg8071]

You're teaching is both wrong and right. There's a myth about different types of learners/learning. However, *everyone* is a visual learner. Visual stimulus is the by far best for learning.

[@caribaez5711]

Diana Eshun math helps your critical thinking

[@yoyodedebum103]

I'm 50 and I still use my fingers :/

[@ednaoschack9044]

I'm looking forward to sharing this with my elementary preservice teachers next week. It is fascinating when science corroborates a theory. The Stages of Early Arithmetic Learning (Steffe and colleagues) have illustrated the importance of finger use in the development of mathematical thinking. Steffe et al. interviewed thousands of children and determined that most children move through stages of needing perceptual tools (fingers or other touchable items) to re-presenting (not a typo) such tools in their mind (watch a child's eyes when working maths on their fingers) to doing maths with numerals. Now we have neurological evidence of the finger use or re-presentation. Wow!

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

The science _is_ the theory: it's the research that provides evidence that either supports or refutes an idea. But I agree with you on the importance of this research. I started out on a degree in mathematical engineering physics (which is much more exciting than it initially sounds!), and studied education alongside that, eventually switching my major to applied psychology because of (in part) some of the things I was seeing happening in the remedial mathematics group I was teaching in (I eventually became an educational psychologist). People had been trained in taking short-cuts that were not clear to them, or they'd been confused by what was going on - or even about the relevance of the stuff they'd been taught. And I was interested in the notion that, if we're not seeing a constitutional specific learning difficulty for mathematics here, then what the hell is going on? Why did these people fail their maths GCSE up to five times in a row?! A lot of the problem became clear: they way we teach mathematics is ... pretty screwed up, really. We deny the students opportunities to get to understand number properly ... to understand maths as a language for describing problems and reporting their solutions, and as a tool-box for working on problems and finding those solutions. Hopefully you'd a great time showing this stuff to your students.

[@YT-Observer]

when I was in grade 1 my school gave us blocks to do math. We were doing multiplcation in grade 1 because it was easy to put out blocks that measured 2 units 3 times and understand that multiplication was just adding up lots of times. 1 unit block were white, 2 pink, 3 green, etc during addition tests we could in our minds eye see blocks of the different colors and lengths. I remember only having 3 minutes to complete 25 and 50 addition problem tests. we had to take them every week until everyone had a perfect score. It really helped me.

[@ThallanarRabidtooth]

Yes, I understand things so much better if I can physically see them, and not just symbols on paper. I've always told my friends "If I could do math using blocks, I would be as smart as Einstein." but I don't think my teachers would be too thrilled to see me carrying around wooden blocks like a toddler.

[@kiritokun3610]

I'm not also good.. I'm get low score during exam.. I think I need to push my self to study more.. or have a good study habbits.. It's that correct??

[@SparkleNeely]

I had a bad experience with my 8th grade math teacher. He lost his wife and daughter in a car crash and for some odd reason, he gave all the girls in the class low grades. Even when I studied and really applied myself, he only gave me a C, which was like an A in his class. Afterwards tho, it soured me on math and I quit after 9th grade. I need to take the TABE test now and I just hate math word problems and geometry. I’m going to try and change my mindset about it.

[@ghostghost4261]

:(

[@nicoles_handle]

I hated math a lot. Then i took the time to appreciate the basics, and attempt to explain everything in English -- a language I was much more familiar with. I felt that I really managed to understand better, and math became increasingly fun even. I think securing the basics are really important, and can really help you when you keep definitions in mind.

[@KateGladstone]

Dear Dr. Boaler - I have recently seen your TedTalk on how to be good at math. I am a 54-year-old woman with lifelong experiences of being bad at math. Typically, when learning anything in math, I do very well just at first, but then suddenly something happens when some new topic is introduced, and I suddenly go from /a/ correctly understanding and applying what I learned to /b/ not getting anything at all about what I am trying to learn next: to the point that I even lose the ability to do anymore the skills that I had previously acquired in the same math course. It's as if a switch suddenly flips and removes my previous abilities up to that point. Neurologists can't find anything wrong with me that could account for this (I have some neurological problems, but not problems that would cause these symptoms), so I assume that you are right and that it is a matter of changing my mind set. However, I have tried very hard (even with professional help) to change my mindset in the ways that you recommend (four, of course, I have read the research on my own) … And I find myself unable to cause myself to have the mindset that you strongly advise having. How can I do this, so that I can get better at math and presumably at other things?

[@agamdeepsingh6339]

Have a look at mathematician's lament by paul lockhart.

[@patrickx2420]

You think you can come in here and tell people what to do? I lament you, sir!

[@sophathnx4342]

Math is the best thing you can have in your life... I love math since i started middle school! Now I am 13 years old And 7th grade And I LOVE everything math-related... But that didn't Just happen... at my first year in middle school There was A teacher Who made me LOVE math! She is like the best teacher in the world! Then I realized that math is my thing And everyone is saying that I am gifted at math...

[@funtime4761]

lucky!!! I am also in 7th grade and i hate math its hard for me to understand some stuff and i get so stressed out.

[@hermionegranger8450]

Cool Player TR heyyyy please help me . :(

[@Blaisem]

I felt the same until I got further in math. One's interest is rarely truly tested when it's a subject you excel in. You brain receives a lot of ulterior rewards for being good at something, so that it's hard to say whether you're interested in it out of passion or whether you're interested in it for the ulterior rewards. Once the subject becomes difficult, and you aren't automatically learning everything you see, then you actually have to apply yourself for many hours and days to make progress on a single concept. That's when you will find out whether it's been genuine love for the topic that's been fueling your interest, or if all along it was just a toy for easy entertainment.

[@aritrasur2682]

i am also in 7th grade,but struggling with maths,it doesn't matter however much​ effort I put it,i always get bad marks

[@Sungha-im5df]

That's great. You learn it when you love it.

[@aseelnour1050]

I've always thought of myself as "not a maths person" because I never understood topics and lessons from the get-go and just couldn't grasp my brain around all the equations and formulas. This video is really insightful and changed my perspective, and I've realized that some people are just naturally talented at maths, but it is a subject that revolves around practice. When this practice (Whether it be visual, like Jo has stated, or just peer tutoring) is neglected- then you will lose grasp over your knowledge. When the problem of the stacked boxes came up, my instinct was to count how many and find a solution- but the different perspectives on the problem transformed it from a boring class question into a visual understanding. This has taught me that I am not "not a maths person" but just a different learner!

[@nelsonfung3778]

The system is wrong already .....you cant really be good if you follow their footsteps ......

[@natashamackinnon4923]

2016 video. phew We are not in the same situation now. In my region, finger use is one of the ways in which students start out learning about numbers, counting, and how to subitise. While it is true that students are taught other ways as their development progresses, students are encouraged to use whatever way works best for them to understand and grow in mathematics. There will always be room for improvement. Kudos to every educator who is improving their practice and fostering a growth mindset in themselves and in their students.

[@michaelrafales2782]

Great talk! We need to get this information into the schools.

[@zoz0boy]

I eat math for lunch.

[@zennologyofeverything7265]

zoz0boy whaddabout breakfast/diner?

[@breppapig559]

Math is quite rich in energy so eating it three times a day can lead to obesity and cardinal disease.

[@osvaldolopez6018]

U mean meth

[@pbdandelion2484]

I eat cheesecake. It's not healthy, but I assume tastier than math!

[@tiagobelo4965]

zoz0boy dude if I ate math phisics and general science I would be the most obese being In all the possible universes

[@zoyazheleva3844]

I will show this to my students straight away! thank you!

[@mathstaylor8786]

I have a slight learning disability I and I lived life like anyone else I loved maths and science and yet I strugled in them and yet I wish I was good at them, now I am 37 and studyed it in self pace I learned I can do more than I ever did, I wish I was good at maths and science to help otheres.

[@seven6362]

Me : I HATE MATH ITS CONFUSING AND HARD also me : _doesnt listen to math class_

[@Lotsothestrawberrybear]

Well, that’s on you isn’t it?

[@titanarmy4116]

I just tried to differentiate a partial function on my finger, didnt work...

[@connorskudlarek8598]

You're supposed to use your toes for partial derivatives and anything that uses the gradient.

[@tiredatm3009]

These TEDxStanford videos make me want to go to Stanford even more. I guess I should continue studying for math if I even want to have a small chance haha

[@mariagraciano2538]

Que ótimo! os professores precisam revolucionar o ensino matematica urgente.

[@sumitraturi7791]

I myself failed maths and then chose maths as my major and yeah its definitely easier then physics

[@nat9844]

I was bad at both and choose physics as my major lol

[@saifullahrahman]

when i make a mistake in maths i kill the question

[@user-js9on1rb4q]

Amazing videos...... I always lock my ability, so from tomorrow, I will never say I cannot do this

[@artwithheather]

Stumbled onto this video because I dropped core maths and physical science in high school and went on to study art. After 9 years out of high school and being an illustrator I realised I keep missing out because of my lack of self confidence so I’m going to be redoing maths and science and applying for an aerospace engineering degree.

[@Death_User666]

Shout out to the adults pushing hard to get through college

[@KevinSanchez-om8po]

"Making mistakes is really good" Me who makes mistakes in math my whole life

[@RehanShaikh-sz4mh]

So happy to see this video , In my school there was a math teacher who always say some student can do math easy way and some students can they are not made to do math he told me not to take subject math as I was not good in study's but I was stuck to math because I want to become engineer I started tuition by another math teacher name Sandeep sir he changed my mind by saying if you can't do this who can you just make excuses because you are afraid of hard-work you can do it and he has a confidence to solve any IIT level questions with a confidence as if he know every thing and can do anything he was a well known teacher use to take tuitions of IITians aspirants in Allen , because of him I'm have cracked JEE-Mains with flying color. the person who was afraid of school study has clear a competitive exam because of a good guidance . now im pursing my CSE( Computer science Engineering) from a good college.

[@raimundoadalbertoalbuquerq3467]

Impressionante! Gostei mesmo!Fez-me repensar muito sobre como se se deve ensinar matemática!

[@aureostar7044]

Really worth watching 😀👍 wonderful presentation

[@richardwilliamson1639]

I wasted years of my life trying to understand math, spent hours sitting and staring at my homework, looking for examples in the textbook that would apply to the homework problems and not finding them. It was deadening and discouraging. My math teachers were dull, depressing and completely uninspired by the subject they were teaching. My typing class was more interesting. It was not until I began studying the history of math that it made any sense. Math was philosophy. The Greeks and Arabs and Indians who made the breakthroughs were looking for some greater truth. Thank God for KZbin.

[@sararc5835]

I wish I had this inspiration when I was in high school. 👏👏👏

[@byby200116]

Things that made me improve at maths is practice and wanting to do well. If you don't put the effort in its not going to happen.