Blog Post #1
Share a story about how you overcame a learning challenge. Why was it a challenge? What strategies did you use? Use the language you learned in this unit.
My struggle with math dates back to 2013, when I was in third grade. My teacher liked to play a multiplication game where everyone stood up and took turns listing multiples of a chosen number. The first person to make a mistake had to sit down. From a learning theory perspective, this was a very behaviorist approach: quick recall, public performance, and implicit negative reinforcement. Unfortunately, for me, this strategy did not foster mastery or confidence. I was almost always the first one to sit down, which quickly reinforced the belief that I was “bad at math.” From that point on, math became my least favorite subject and consistently my weakest academically.
Throughout my schooling, I tried several strategies that never seemed to work. I worked with my dad, which often ended in frustration, yelling, and tears. I also tried multiple tutors, but those sessions left me feeling even more discouraged. Looking back, these approaches focused heavily on correct answers rather than on how I was processing information. There was little attention paid to my cognitive strategies, prior knowledge, or anxiety around math, which made learning feel overwhelming rather than meaningful.
When I reached high school, I realized that I needed to take a more active role in my learning. Math could no longer be something I avoided. I began visiting my teacher after class to identify exactly where I was going wrong, which helped me better understand my own thinking processes. I asked for extra practice and spent at least two hours after school working through problems. This shift reflects a more cognitivist approach, as I started to organize information, recognize patterns, and use strategies that worked specifically for me.
I also began using my school’s tutoring program, putting aside my fear of being judged. This experience allowed me to actively engage with the material and learn through explanation and practice, aligning with constructivist principles. By working through problems myself and applying math in different contexts, I gradually built confidence and developed my own mental representations of mathematical concepts. Over time, the combination of consistent practice, feedback, and self-reflection helped me overcome this learning challenge. Today, as a university student who has completed university-level math, I continue to rely on these strategies. I overcame this challenge through persistence, intentional learning strategies, and growing confidence in my ability to learn.
Share a story about your best learning experience (could be a formal course or something more personal). Why did you enjoy it?
Interestingly, my best learning experience also involves math. Despite years of struggling, taking Math 151 at UVic marked a turning point for me. Although math will never be my strongest subject, something finally clicked. After years of practice and effort, I began to feel capable and even confident. This experience reflects how learning can evolve as learners build stronger cognitive frameworks.
I think I enjoyed this course because it offered a change of pace compared to my other classes. As a psychology and education student, most of my courses follow similar learning designs focused on reading, writing, and discussion. Math required a different way of thinking, and that novelty kept me engaged. The structured problem-solving combined with opportunities for independent practice allowed me to apply strategies that worked for me, reinforcing both cognitivist and constructivist learning processes.
Feeling successful in a subject that once caused so much anxiety was very rewarding. This experience showed me that effective learning depends not only on effort but on finding approaches that align with how a learner processes information. Gaining confidence in math after years of struggle remains one of the most meaningful learning experiences of my academic journey.