What's Math Got to Do with It?

May 19, 2008
Formerly a professor at Stanford University and currently the Marie Curie Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Sussex in England, Boaler probes the question of why so many kids hate math and what can be done about it. Befitting a math maven, Boaler approaches the problem from many angles, noting that even as the U.S. nears the bottom of international rankings in mathematical achievement, our need to fill jobs in science, medicine, technology and other math-related areas is growing. But the widespread aversion to math is no mystery: in her longitudinal studies of how children learn, Boaler has discovered that while school math is often boring and widely hated, teachers can ignite the curiosity that leads to success by using a more communicative, or project-based, approach. Instead of lecture-based, silent classrooms that promote passive learning, Boaler reveals that when students talk, collaborate, question and become actively engaged, math scores go up and attitudes improve. Boaler's enthusiasm for her subject is infectious, and even the most avid math haters will be intrigued by her fresh and passionate outlook. In addition to ideas for the classroom, the author also includes ways to make math fun and fascinating for kids at home. Parents and educators alike will count this book an inspiring resource.