- Year 2022
- NSF Award #2050515
- Registration Current Noyce Scholar
- First Name Martha
- Last Name Coffey
- Discipline Mathematics
- Institution Dalton State College
Abstract
“When am I going to use this?”, is probably the most asked question in math classes throughout the United States and possibly the world. I counter this question in an untraditional way and choose to rebut with a personal narrative relating to the topic. Students respond better to personal narratives, as stories can help students make connections of math: to certain jobs, to related tasks, and to the idea of attainable learning. These types of questions can even be prevented by providing stories that are related to the topic before presenting to the material. By contextualizing mathematics concepts, we are not only creating students who are more eager to learn math but are also driven to share mathematical concepts outside of class. Therefore, we are now creating a new breed of students who enjoy math more, have a desire to share math related stories, and are building better connections with their teachers. This poster will look to highlight the positive influence that personal connections and stories can make on a students’ learning experiences.
