DameBruschetta
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quote:
ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl
I thought people with dyscalculia couldn't figure any math at all, including basic math. Am I wrong? Does dyscalculia only affect algebra? Also, there are a lot of people out there with degrees who need a calculator for basic math (which I don't). How did they get through it when they know even less than I do?
Dyscalculia is a broad term, and there are varying degrees in which people suffer from it. People with dyscalculia often have issues visualizing the numbers and sitations and end up either not understanding how to apply what they know or mix up the numbers in a word, sequencing. Some people with it have issues with money, time, recalling things, strategy games, or even mixing up names or faces. Some people have issues remembering a math concept from one day to the next. It really is more of an umbrella term for many learning disabilities that are associated with math. We here about dyslexia a lot but dyscalculia is not known as well - a lot of this comes from the fact that many of us were "taught" that math was hard or that it was natural to have issues understanding it. We end up getting taught a lot of the coping strategies one would recommend and a lot of the more mild cases of it are never recognized for what they are. You sound like you possibly have problems understanding the concepts or applying the concepts, there is a good chance its not dyscalculia but many people with it have issues doing just that. Not everyone that has problems with math has it, but it might be something for you to think about (because I would hate for you to give up on the idea of a degree just because you have issues with math and end up feeling like you cannot conquer it.)
I do happen to have dyscalculia, I was diagnosed after I got my degree... after studying psy for years and taking two stats courses and seeing my own errors in what I was doing and the whole pattern of my life when it came to math. I managed to pass through my math courses, a lot of them by the skin of my teeth with a just credit worthy C. I can understand your fustration - trust me I can! Many people (even those without this learning disability so to speak) have issues remembering and applying math. I can tell you, I loved stats - the concept of stats anyway. I can explain it to you but actually doing the formulations long hand without using a statistical program? Can't do it, somewhere I'll mess it up. Algebra was hell, I have issues putting things in the right sequence - even though I understand how it works there will be a disconnect inserting the number or figuring it out and misinterpreting it somewhere on the calculator or plugging in the result in the next part of the equation. If I am not using a concept on a daily basis, I won't be able to remember it so constant practice was a big deal - forget the little basic things and you forget how to do the complicated things.
I can tell you a lot of your success is going to depend on getting the right instructor - someone who is willing to give you points for questions if you're getting part of it or the concept behind it right. Many math instructors know its hard! If you make an effort and they see you make an effort and you come to them for help many of them will try to help you, maybe its class participation points, maybe its something else. Most of them are out there to help you not hurt you. (Part of why you see those people you mention who need calculators ;) but also because math for most people can be use it or loose it. Don't use complicated math on a daily basis? Most likely not going to remember the complicated things.) A lot of it is going to depend on getting help and putting in effort (practice does help to an extent) and part of it is really going to figure out coping strategies. I am not trying to pick on you when I say this, but sooo much of it is going to depend on the basics so really, the more you can learn the better. If you don't get the basic stuff its going to be very very hard to even get the right answer on a calculator because you are still going to have to understand the concept to plug it in. None of the calculators you buy are really going to just give you the answer - but a lot of the questions you'll see are the ones in the book and the more you know those the easier that same answer is going to come when you have to work it out. I know you may not want to do this because it won't count towards credits but I would really recommend taking a pre-algebra course. It will help you get a handle on the basics and will really make moving into algebra easier if you suspect it will already be difficult. The graphing calculator will help a lot when you get to stats, because much of what you need to do is just plugging in numbers where they belong and hitting the equal button. Most of the algebra you can do on the calculator is going to be plugging in basic math to plug into an equation to form another basic math equation. It won't help you near as much as you think.
I've struggled with math issues my whole life - if I can get my degree and produce a quality statistical research project worthy of publication... I know you can manage to get through your fundamental math courses. You just have to have faith, put forth the effort and accept that it may not happen easily or quickly as you hoped.
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RE: algebra calculator - 
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