THE SUBJECT THAT SEPARATES THE DISCIPLINED FROM THE LESS MATURE STUDENT

THE SUBJECT THAT SEPARATES THE DISCIPLINED FROM THE LESS MATURE STUDENT

By Domenick J. Maglio Ph.D Traditional Realist

There is one subject in education that the further you advance knowledge, the more is demanded of the student. It is an area you are attracted to or you avoid like the plague. At the beginning of school some students gravitate to language arts and others to math activities. In the higher elementary grades more disciplined study is demanded in math to develop a strong foundation in this area. Mathematics builds on itself and requires more attention to detail to arrive at the exact answer. The precision in mathematics makes it more demanding of the student and creates a more mathematical mind.

Addition, subtraction and multiplication facts have to be memorized for immediate recall. This presents a student with the first significant challenge to memorize a block of facts. The student either learns it or does not. There are no excuses for not learning the material. The student’s determination to spend time and concentrate on memorizing the material demonstrates to the child it takes pure effort to gain certain types of knowledge. Some students apply themselves willingly and easily to memorize the facts.  Others could care less and have to be prompted and bribed to even start the process. These students regrettably fight each step of the way to their own detriment. Some will win the battle and lose the war where many schools allow the student to count on his fingers instead of putting the information into his mind’s memory bank.

This reluctance to get tasks done that are not attractive to the student is troubling for the student’s future learning. There are many subjects in our schools such as grammar, spelling, history or science that seem to an immature youngster to be boring and unimportant but are building blocks of knowledge and skills. Not everything can or should be sugar packaged to the interest of every student. They have learned to “take their medicine” and do the things they do not want to do to become educated strong student. This certainly will be the case in higher education.

Many modern students are addicted to doing only what they want instantly. It is the age of instant gratification. The Internet and social media often enhance their ability to self promote and express themselves to show what they want to be not what they really are. Social media consumes a large portion of time, thought process and has even become a lifestyle for much of our youth. This leaves little time to do things that have to be mastered to be a well-educated person.

Our school grade inflation has been the opium for students and their parents to feel their child is doing well academically. The reality is too many are well below the level of competent students in this country and foreign nations. The giving of high grades to students who have not earned them is stifling learning. Students need to compete with themselves and others to be challenged to produce quality work. The poor academic achievement of modern American students is being compared negatively with past generations and current foreign students.

When students take comprehensive achievement and college entrance exams their deficit is exposed to the parents often for the first time. In too many cases they have to take remedial courses without any college credit or are unable to remain in the college program they chose. Too many students are delusional about their ability and prospect of success in college.

The one subject that is usually the litmus test for student success in higher education is mathematics. It is nothing more than logic that builds on itself. It is almost impossible to be a consistently good student in math without a solid foundation.

The student has to be precise, checking his own work after showing every step of the process including the type of units to arrive at a correct answer. It is a learned skill that requires focus and discipline in solving the problem. This activity is learned by reading the lessons thoroughly several times to fully understand the concept that is being shown. This procedure is necessary to develop the mental set needed to become a proficient math student.

Math is the area of study that separates the conscientious student from a casual, passive or “just get by” student. The subject of math cannot be faked. It is right or wrong. There is no subjective middle ground no matter how the material is presented.

Mastering math to an adequate level of proficiency is essential for earning almost any higher degree. It is a difficult subject for many students as it takes self-discipline to overcome obstacles and appreciate the positive logical thinking patterns that math teaches. Learning to think logically is necessary in higher education. More importantly it is a fundamental thinking skill that should be used in any career and is necessary to cultivate wisdom in one’s life. Math is a challenge for most students that can and should be conquered for the future success of the student.

Domenick Maglio, PhD. is a columnist carried by various newspapers, an author of several books and owner/director of Wider Horizons School, a college prep program. Dr. Maglio is an author of weekly newspaper articles, INVASION WITHIN  and a new just published book, entitled, IN CHARGE PARENTING In a PC World. You can visit Dr. Maglio at www.drmaglio.blogspot.com.