Additional information
by Brian Cafarella (Author)
How do we conquer uncertainty, insecurity, and anxiety over college mathematics? You can do it, and this book can help.
The author provides various techniques, learning options, and pathways. Students can overcome the barriers that thwart success in mathematics when they prepare for a positive start in college and lay the foundation for success.
Based on interviews with over 50 students, the book develops approaches to address the struggles and success these students shared. Then the author took these ideas and experiences and built a process for overcoming and achieving when studying not only the mathematics many colleges and universities require as a minimum for graduation, but more to encourage reluctant students to look forward to their mathematics courses and even learn to embrace additional ones.
Success breeds interest, and interest breeds success. Math anxiety is based on test anxiety. The book provides proven strategies for conquering test anxiety. It will help find ways to interest students in succeeding in mathematics and assist instructors on pathways to promote student interest, while helping them to overcome the psychological barriers they face. Finally, the author shares how math is employed in the "real world," examining how both STEM and non- STEM students can employ math in their lives and careers. Ultimately, both students and teachers of mathematics will better understand and appreciate the difficulties and how to attack these difficulties to achieve success in college mathematics.
Author Biography
Brian Cafarella, Ph.D. is a mathematics professor at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. He has taught a variety of courses ranging from developmental math through pre- calculus. Brian is a past recipient of the Roueche Award for teaching excellence. He is also a past recipient of the Ohio Magazine Award for excellence in education. Brian has published in several peer- reviewed journals. His articles have focused on implementing best practices in developmental math and various math pathways for community college students. Additionally, Brian was the recipient of the Article of the Year Award for his article, "Acceleration and Compression in Developmental Mathematics: Faculty Viewpoints" in the Journal of Developmental Education.
