How can I help my son get through his college algebra? He’s failed it twice and gotten a D on the third attempt. He’s very discouraged. How can we find out if he’s got dyscalculia?
Here's help, two ways:
I’ve posted a lot of suggestions about algebra teaching, and also recently how to make choices that will fail you in algebra. I don’t have time right now to type in anything long, but if you click on “search” at the top of this web page and type in my name, victoria, you’ll find a lot of things I’ve posted on the same question.
I would be glad to answer algebra questions by email if he wants to ask. Please write
It is my sad experience that most college algebnra problems are rooted much further back, junior high school or even primary arithmetic; and that most of them are a moderate math problem coupled with a huge attitude problem. If he’s willing to take the leap and leave attitude behind, we can help with the algebra.
Re: Help for college algebra
Almost every college campus I have visited has had some form of tutors or study groups available to all students of that school. Has he ever tried asking someone on campus for help with his studies? Or has he been doing it all on his own?
It has been my experience that difficult subjects like Algebra can be better understood after attending a study group. Think of the study group as a “brain storm” session. Ideas are bounced off of each other, subjects (math problems) are looked at from different angles, and the participants benefit from having not only one teacher but each taking their turn in teaching and learning in the group.
If you really feel that he has discalculia I would suggest researching your area to find out whether or not there are any learning centers for adults with LDs. I’m sure the school your son attends would be able to assist you with this matter. Another good resource would be www.ncld.org. This is the official website for the National Center for Learning Disabilities. There you can find great informative resources, a center locator, helpful tips, and news.
Good luck!
Does he have other LDs?
In my experience with college students, generally they haven’t found the right approach to learning it (or, the teachers haven’t fouind the right approach to teaching it) and/or there are serious gaps in their understanding of the background knowledge. Sometimes there’s an LD issue involved and sometimes not.
What are the specific issues he has? A fair number of students are able to get some accommodations like untimed testing or use of a calculator, especially if there’s already paperwork on a documented LD in the files.