This document discusses ways to stimulate and maintain student interest in learning mathematics. It identifies two phases: arousal of interest and maintenance of interest. To arouse interest, the teacher should provide opportunities for students to use their mental powers, emphasize the practical value of mathematics, and acquaint students with how mathematics relates to other subjects and careers. To maintain interest, the teacher should continue exposing students to these applications, introduce variety, and ensure a conducive learning environment with proper resources. Maintaining interest is important to achieve learning objectives.

1. ASSIGNMENT
SUBJECT: WAYS FOR STIMULATING AND MAINTAING INTEREST IN LEARNING
MATHEMATICS
Submitted by,
SHINY VARGHESE
Mathematics
Roll No. 17
M.T.T.C.PTPM

2. WAYS FOR STIMULATING AND MAINTAING INTEREST IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS
To arose and maintain the student’s interest in mathematics is a major problem for the
teacher. He knows that loss of interest is one of the principal causes of student failure.
Students work most effectively a task in which they are genuinely interested. Students
as a rule readily become interested in things which are new or exciting for which they
can perceive practical values and which involve puzzle elements or elements of mystery.
Their interest is easily caught by anything new but such interest is fleeting It is easier to
interest students in their work than it is to keep them interested after the novelty of the
work has worn off.
The Problems of inculcating interest in the learning of mathematics two phases.
1. Arousal of interest
2. Maintenance of aroused interest
A. Arousal of Interest: In the first phase desired interest is aroused in the learning
of mathematics. Students are drawn nearer and nearer and nearer to the
learning of mathematics. They are spontaneously attracted and motivated to
learn mathematics.
B. Maintenance of aroused interest: Once the students are attracted or motivated
to learn there is every possibility for the diminishing and vanishing of the around
interest. Therefore every care should be taken to maintain the interest of the
students for a sufficiently long period so that the desired aims and objectives
may be properly realized.How can it be done is a problem that is to be faced by
every teacher. The suggestions given below may may serve useful purpose in this
direction
1. To Provide Opportunity for the use of Mental Power:-The children are
curious by nature and they always desire to go deep in solving the problems.
Therefore, we may make the student interested if we utilize their nature of
absorption. Their interest in learning of mathematics may be aroused if we
provide them opportunities of utilizing their mental powers.
2. To emphasize on the Practical Value of Mathematics:- Utilitarian aspect of a
thing enhances its value. One is always deeply anxious for a thing which one
considers more and more valuable. Therefore if the child feels that study of
mathematics is going to help him in his day to day life he would
automatically be drawn to it. Hence therefore facts of mathematics should
always be integrated with the relevant utilitarian aspects.

3. 3. To acquaint with the Application of Mathematics in Learning Other Subjects
of the Curriculum:- Mathematics has a very key position in learning other
subjects of the curriculum. It is the art of all arts and science of all sciences.
This fact should be known by the student of mathematics. It is natural that
students are more inclined towards a particular subject according to their
inner taste aptitude of ambition by knowing that the study of mathematics
would help them a lot in learning the subject of their choice and taste they
spontaneously take interest in learning mathematics.
4. To acquaint with the vocational value:- The most practical aim of education
is to make the students capable to earn their livelihood. Learning of
mathematics serves this purpose properly as it opens ways and means for
the various occupations and vocations. The learning of this subject thus gives
more guarantee for jobs and occupations in comparison to other subjects.
5. To acquaint with the cultural value:- We can inculcate interest of the
students in learning mathematics by making use of the cultural value of
mathematics. The history of mathematics does not only say about its own
development but also throws light on its various cultural aspects. Study of
mathematics helps in the preservation, promotion and transmission of the
cultural heritage. The life history of mathematicians the contribution of the
different races in the field of mathematics, be universality of the
mathematical principles and facts and their exchange among different
nations present numerous opportunities to inculcate interest in learning of
mathematics.
6. To acquaint with the entertainment or recreational value:- Mathematics
has its own beauty. Its artistic and aesthetic values should be known to the
students of mathematics. A student may be easily drawn towards
mathematics if he is told that what art or science pleases his heart, is
governed and directed by mathematics. Mathematics as often wrongly
understood is not a dry subject. It has all opportunities for recreation and
entertainment.
7. Through practical work:-Children have awaken interest for practical work
and like to do things by themselves, Therefore they may be made interested
in learning mathematics by emphasizing the practical aspect of mathematics
besides its theoretical teaching. For this purpose methods like project and
laboratory should find proper place in the teaching of mathematics.
8. Principle of change and variety:- The persistence of same type of activity and
learning for a longer time breeds monotony and dullness. This is a serious
jolt in learning and therefore should be checked by following the principle of
variety and change.

4. 9. Necessary facilities for learning and teaching:-Interest is very much linked
with the facilities and opportunities available for the teaching as well as
learning. The teacher who teaches well is sure to prove successful in creating
and maintaining interest in learning. In most of the cases the students
develop distaste and hatred towards the subject by wrong and improper
methods of teaching.
The presence of proper learning environment and
facilities also contribute towards inculcation of desired interest in learning. The
students therefore, should be provided with the essential congenial environment to
work and learn properly without experiencing any discomfort. The books papers pencils
drawing instruments and other essential things for learning mathematics should be
properly available to them, They should also get all the necessary guidance and
direction to learn mathematics according to their own pace and abilities.