Find Joy in Numbers with This Diverse, Proven Approach to Learning Math

Jo Boaler shares 5 key insights from Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity, and Meaning in Mathematics.

How do you feel about math? For a lot of people, learning or using mathematics can be a source of anxiety. But it doesn’t have to be that way, according to Jo Boaler, author of the new book Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity, and Meaning in Mathematics. Jo is a professor of education and equity at Stanford University, has written nine books on math, and the BBC named her as one of eight educators “changing the face of education.” Here’s Jo to share 5 of her big ideas.

1. Struggle and mistakes make our brains grow.

Before getting into any math, let’s explore some important ideas for approaching learning and life. Neuroscientists at Stanford are revealing fascinating insights into how our brains process math and other things. One of the most surprising and interesting facts is that struggling and making mistakes are the best times for our brains. As one neuroscientist said to me, “If you are not struggling, you are not learning.” Generally, though, people everywhere feel bad about times of struggle.