Classroom Transaction to Deal with Fear and Phobia in Developing Basic Mathematical Concepts

Abstract

Pedagogy means "The Art of teaching" Pedagogy of Mathematics is the Art/skill of 
teaching Mathematics. This paper highlights the basic difference between Telling and Teaching 
of Mathematics. Telling means making oral statement regarding some mathematical concepts 
and facts and expected from the learner to remember these, whereas teaching includes 
organization of activities and demonstration with illustrations to make the learners understand 
the concepts and facts. Effective pedagogy will help learners in developing their confidence and 
to overcome from fear and phobia for learning mathematical concepts/facts.  Mathematics 
Pedagogy involves certain important steps like to diagnose the hard spots of learning basic 
mathematical concepts and to devise remedial measures.  Mathematics Pedagogy is similar to 
clinical Pedagogy. As the doctor first diagnoses the problem and then takes decision to adopt 
remedial measures for the treatment of the diseases.  In Mathematics also at the first stage 
Diagnostic Evaluation is done to identify the hard spots of learning and then the remedial 
Effective pedagogy focuses on developing higher order thinking and makes the best use of the 
participation of the learner. Interactions, among teachers and students in a learning 
environment, help in developing sustainable learning among the learners. The use of various 
pedagogical skills helps in removing the fear and phobia among the learner in learning 
mathematical concepts.  Telling v/s Teaching methodology for facilitating Mathematics learning 
has been tried by the author in upper primary and secondary level classes. For Example: A 
fraction is a part of a unit or of a group of similar things.  This is one way of explaining the 
meaning of fraction.  Demonstrating the concept of a fraction involving the learner using 
concrete material is the best pedagogical skill for this particular concept. The paper focuses on 
the use of best Mathematical Pedagogy to be used in the class room transaction with the 
involvement of learners. Use of Hands on Activities with the involvement of learner followed by 
the assessment for learning and re-learning.