Why Black children need Maths more than ever

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  • Опубликовано: 19 дек 2024

Комментарии • 88

  • @elywananda
    @elywananda  2 дня назад +2

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  • @garethamfo-agyei482
    @garethamfo-agyei482 2 дня назад +33

    Preach... as a black maths teacher at a predominantly black school in South London, I fully agree. Mathematics drives problem solving, logical thinking, resilience and reasoning skills. The number of times I hear students ask me, when will I ever need to find the value of x? but don't understand these are life skills. Great video, keep up the great work.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +4

      @@garethamfo-agyei482 Thanks man, your job must be very interesting and challenging I imagine. I remember saying that through my childhood ("when will I ever need algebra?" etc). I think the key is getting them into maths from as early an age as possible so they grow up with it all around them. A key problem is when the only times they see maths is in the maths class.

    • @gardeniainbloom812
      @gardeniainbloom812 День назад +1

      I'm highly resilient and fairly good at solving the problems I'm directly faced with but I'm also rubbish at maths. Non-linear thinking, thinking outside the box, critical thinking, ability to navigate through a myriad of eco systems, sussing out your opponent etc are vital skills in the modern world. Will a firm grasp of mathematics help here or just produce automatons.

    • @Jefflon_Zuckergates
      @Jefflon_Zuckergates День назад +1

      @@gardeniainbloom812yes I believe maths can help with a lot of these soft skills. Maths is obviously not the only way to gain these skills and we should strive to be well rounded/ multifaceted. For instance, I think it’s great that we are into competitive sports

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  17 часов назад

      @@gardeniainbloom812 When you say you're rubbish at maths, I bet you mean arithmetic I'm starting to think of maths in a different way than it just being about numbers and arithmetic and formulas. Maths is also about shapes and dimensions and time and distance, and patterns, and rhythm, etc. As I've been working with my boys, I've realised how dead it is to just teach how to calculate numbers problems. They do it and grasp it, but it's much more interesting when we focus on patterns. E.g. the other day I showed them the patterns in the nine times table and they were so curious about it. And when we play games that are based on numbers and patterns, they love it.

  • @AndrianaMasoha
    @AndrianaMasoha 2 дня назад +18

    I was consistently in the high maths class in school throughout my GSCEs however when it came to the final exam I was adviced by my baths teacher to take the foundation paper which meant my grade was capped at C. When sitting that paper you’re not able to score anything more than a C.
    Parents need to be involved! My parents had no clue about this…

    • @AAA-we2st
      @AAA-we2st 2 дня назад +7

      Why on earth did they enter you for a foundation paper! That was definitely a poor decision, sorry.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +4

      I was in the high maths class to but I knew for a long time that the maximum I would get was a C. It was obvious that I wasn't at the level of some of my classmates. Could it be that the school made that decision based on your performance in class generally, and in mock exams, etc?

    • @AndrianaMasoha
      @AndrianaMasoha 2 дня назад +6

      I was too smart to be in the foundation class. In the high class I would get B grades but it wasn’t consistent. I was basically borderline.
      Parental involvement would have really helped here. But I understand the perspective of the teacher. I just wonder if other black children were pushed to sit lower papers when actually they could sit higher papers with the right support at home.

    • @Neddie2k
      @Neddie2k 2 дня назад +1

      That’s criminal.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +7

      @AndrianaMasoha I see. Yeah parental involvement is essential. I might've been able to get a higher grade in maths with some more parental involvement, support and encouragement. And I'm seeing with my sons how crucial it is for us to be doing a bunch of schooling at home. The teachers have their systems and approaches but we can't leave it to them.

  • @DrWuDoc
    @DrWuDoc 2 дня назад +14

    Big up Ely for this here’s my observations:
    1) The cultures that push maths excel. So it’s no surprise as soon as my kids were 5 they did Kumon. Guess who the majority students - Indians, Sri Lankans & other Asian groups.
    2) Child tuition is big business in the Asian community- the main objective is the 11 plus exam & getting into a good grammar school. Numeracy at the higher standards is a prerequisite to entering these top schools.
    3) Maths is the gateway to the STEM - which essentially is the gateway to a middle/upper class income. Which is why Asians push their kids into STEM. Nigerians to a lesser extent.
    4) I grew up in Hackney at a time of deprivation. I attended Hackney Downs School now known as Mossbourne Academy. In the 1990s it was dubbed the worst school in Britain. My confidence with Maths helped immensely and gave me the confidence to go onto to study both pharmacy & medicine.
    PS I hope one day we could actually sit down and chat. There’s a group of us that came from Hackney that have gone on to do well.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +2

      @@DrWuDoc Thanks bro, I hadn't actually heard of Kumon before. Looks great and I'll keep that in mind as a potential option for my little ones. You've made excellent points here. And yeah maybe one day our paths will cross. Glad to hear folks from the ends doing well. I have to remember to celebrate those who do well, instead of just always lamenting at how few there are!

    • @DrWuDoc
      @DrWuDoc 2 дня назад

      @ keep up the great work bro!

  • @nanakwabena61
    @nanakwabena61 2 дня назад +15

    Maths was a huge struggle for me in school and it has affected my life but I get by in life generally - but my four children have done wonderfully in their GCSE and doing well in further education.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад

      That's wonderful to hear this. Well done to you for your children's success!

  • @moshudoduwade219
    @moshudoduwade219 День назад +1

    The number 1 Mathematician in the world today is an African Mathematics Professor.

  • @eggonegg
    @eggonegg День назад +1

    Yes ... This is the key .. so proud of my son being top of his class in maths. Everyday I try to encourage my son more than my dad did.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад +1

      @@eggonegg Fantastic. Please be sure to celebrate your son's greatness ✊🏿

  • @OnlyTheTruth-ti9ex
    @OnlyTheTruth-ti9ex День назад +3

    Good brilliant video. I've always known this. That's why I advise black families to focus on having fewer children so they can spend their resources on things like private education and home tuition without extra shifts and long hours.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @@OnlyTheTruth-ti9ex 100% That's great advice!

  • @yaz4659
    @yaz4659 День назад +2

    I strongly agree with you . Maths opens the door to many highly skilled subjects like engineering and finance, etc. Which are lifechanging to countries and individuals. Many countries emphasise math like China and India. You will need it in your day to day life ....not to get short-changed.

  • @rafailsyed7051
    @rafailsyed7051 День назад +2

    i agree with this 100%, corbettmaths is a good resource for math questions for children.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @@rafailsyed7051 Thanks for recommending Corbettmaths. I've had a quick peek and it looks great 🙏🏿

  • @kurriedone741
    @kurriedone741 День назад +1

    Another excellent video. Thank You. Mathematics is the cheapest subject to resource compared to other subjects if we had to consistently pay for the materials required.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @@kurriedone741 My pleasure! And that's an interesting observation. Could you expand on it please. I think I know what you mean but just want to be sure 🙏🏿

  • @hazel5189
    @hazel5189 2 дня назад +3

    I really appreciate the work you put into these videos, Ely. And I appreciate your commitment to our children and young people.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад

      @@hazel5189 Thank you Hazel, it's my absolute pleasure. I feel it's kind my duty to do what I can 🙏🏿

  • @Metro6am
    @Metro6am 2 дня назад +4

    Maths is so important!

  • @LaliladaAnamina
    @LaliladaAnamina 2 дня назад +5

    I got an A in GCSEs but I never enjoyed Maths, I just want to get rich and live my life man🤣🤣

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      That's a good place to be! I was the same, but I got a C!

  • @magnoliabrown9153
    @magnoliabrown9153 2 дня назад +1

    Thanks

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад +1

      @@magnoliabrown9153 Much appreciated family 🙏🏿

  • @wealthabundance888
    @wealthabundance888 2 дня назад +3

    Excellent content as always.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад

      @@wealthabundance888 Thank you fam 🙏🏿

  • @Neddie2k
    @Neddie2k 2 дня назад +2

    Thanks for the insight.
    Maths make the world go round.

  • @trevorbrown3884
    @trevorbrown3884 День назад +1

    Very interesting I am a Caribbean person who struggled with math's at primary school and by time I reached secondary school the main issue was that I couldn't see the value in math's however when working on my City and Guilds in Electronics at age 16 I decided to take my O level Math's and discovered I actually enjoyed it and was able to get the my one and only O level, love your efforts man .
    .

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  17 часов назад

      @@trevorbrown3884 Thanks man, and good for you ✊🏿 I reckon loads of people would find maths interesting and even fun, if they were taught in different ways and in different contexts. Maths teaching at least back in the day was way too formulaic and dry.

  • @msgoldndiamondsarefromafri8112
    @msgoldndiamondsarefromafri8112 2 дня назад +4

    My father was trained as an accountant and so he loved maths so for us maths was never a taboo, I think the positive attitude to maths helps. My child has friends who are East Asian and they are fierce about studying, the children don’t really have other children round to play. They stay in and study!

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +1

      @@msgoldndiamondsarefromafri8112 Love that! This is how it should be. I think too many parents put too much focus on children being popular and going to all the birthday parties and whatnot.

    • @DrWuDoc
      @DrWuDoc 2 дня назад +1

      @@msgoldndiamondsarefromafri8112 this raises the very difficult question about culture. How we appraise culture, in the sense promoting the boys that encourage success and throwing the rest out. My fear is that we are too immature and short term in our thinking to do it properly

  • @Jay-Kay-Buwembo
    @Jay-Kay-Buwembo 2 дня назад +4

    Thing is across the board children from poor backgrounds aren't taught mathematics well in this country. For children to excel in mathematics it needs to be encouraged at home, those teachers at school & the national curriculum is lacking.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад +1

      Thankfully it seems that there's a move to make maths a higher priority in formal schooling.

    • @Jay-Kay-Buwembo
      @Jay-Kay-Buwembo День назад

      @elywananda I learned mathematics outside of the class room, found my classrooms large with mixed abilities and thus the teacher didn't have the contact time with each child.
      I also feel that Maths is a practice and the time in lessons and homework isn't enough practice to build proficiency.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад +1

      @Jay-Kay-Buwembo Yep, parents must have a programme of teaching to supplement what the school does. Currently we're going it ourselves but at some point we'll likely get tutors of some sort.

  • @Afrinaturality
    @Afrinaturality День назад +1

    I loved Maths at school. Struggled a little afterwards, but still did an AS-Level in Maths. Looking back, perhaps I should have continued.

  • @nanakwabena61
    @nanakwabena61 2 дня назад +2

    Good afternoon, great and interesting topic again

  • @ancientfuture9690
    @ancientfuture9690 День назад +1

    If maths or any other kind of subject that requires (for use of a better term) "dry thinking" isn't enjoyed, discussed or even considered important in the home, the child will not be incentivized to even consider it. Of course there are expections to the rule, but we (as children at least) are shaped by our home/cultural values and will only see those things as important.
    In my case, we didn't have a single book in the home and though I used to enjoy going to the library on my own, it wasn't until my early twenties that I discovered I had a veracious appetite for reading and learning. I read ANYTHING and EVERYTHING could get my hands on. It was such a gratifying time in my life.
    The only downside is that my family began to become suspicious of me and often threw the accusation, "You've changed! You're not who you used to be!". It was then that I understood the importance of the individual over the group (and their silly demands) and despite their protests, continued my interest and inproved my life FAR beyond what I had originally, ever imagined.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад +1

      @@ancientfuture9690 Spot on. I saw something the other day that apparently 1 in 5 children in Britain don't own a single book. Shocking stuff. I'm glad elevated yourself from your home environment.

  • @Conditious
    @Conditious 2 дня назад +1

    You’re a great man I’ve just watched this video and respect you a lot I wish more elder blacks were like you I wish my parents were like you keep going 💪🏿

  • @conw_y
    @conw_y 2 дня назад +5

    Great video, great advice. Calculus, linear algebra and statistics form the foundations for computing, data science and AI. Modern notation, but ancient roots.
    In our modern technological world, these skills are valuable and in high demand. But they take discipline and persistence to acquire, and thus are rare. Because they are scarce and valuable, they are highly paid and respected in industry. Contrary to certain popular narratives, AI cannot replace these fundamental skills. In fact, those who combine specialist skills with AI will be even more effective and thus in even higher demand.
    Those who begin early will have a massive advantage and head-start. I'm in my 30s and finally learning (properly) math and algorithms. At my age it's difficult but doable. But someone younger with a fresh mind and less baggage can potentially achieve far more.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +1

      @@conw_y Thanks, and excellent points. Those who are making the best use of AI are those with the strongest pre-existing skills. I'm like you in that I'm having to re-learn mathematics. Right now it's not too bad because it's just arithmetic, but when my children get onto more advanced stuff, I'm really going to need to work hard to keep up!

  • @duvalSSS
    @duvalSSS 2 дня назад +2

    Another great video, I really appreciate the hard work you’re doing ! Have you ever considered doing a video on the portrayal of black people in tv and the Media ( I only ask as you studied media at uni ) but thanks again brother , I love your work

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад

      @@duvalSSS Thank you! I'm sure I'll do some videos on those lines in future, so watch this space! Thanks for the suggestion.

  • @moshudoduwade219
    @moshudoduwade219 День назад +1

    If a child at the age of 8 years old and they do Mathematics 5 hrs a day 7 days a week for 10 years, when they are 18 years old, they will be very good in Mathematics.

  • @rogermanvell4693
    @rogermanvell4693 2 дня назад +2

    My experience is that whilst maths is important kids should focus on what they have a real talent for, and success in one area often translates to better performance elsewhere too.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад +3

      @@rogermanvell4693 The only thing is that at young ages, education is very general. You don't specialise until really GCSE time. So we need to ensure children are as strong in mathematics and literacy as possible. Then when their interests are emerging later on, they'll have the foundational skills and mindsets to build on.

    • @Jay-Kay-Buwembo
      @Jay-Kay-Buwembo 2 дня назад +1

      There should be a base standard for maths, at GCSE level none of the maths children are introduced to is advanced by any measure.
      That basic level of Mathematics is useful across professions and within a business. Statistics, understanding financial markets, doing ones accounts, profit margins, managing budgets.

    • @rogermanvell4693
      @rogermanvell4693 2 дня назад

      @@elywananda true but we need to be careful about pushing kids to do maths a level when there talents lie elsewhere. Good secondary schools find what kids are good at and maximise it then success in one area builds success in wider life.

    • @justdoit.86yearsago
      @justdoit.86yearsago День назад +1

      @@rogermanvell4693 regardless of talent, you still need to have skills in the fundamental elements of education such as math.

    • @Omar-kl3xp
      @Omar-kl3xp День назад +3

      I think everyone need to have a base standard of math but you are right maths is not the only way to do well in Life ,there are a lot of people who are doing well while they didn’t have a high GCSEs maths grades ,the same way there are people that are doing well in life while never been to university,finding what you are good at is just as important.

  • @lxvideos1125
    @lxvideos1125 День назад +1

    Maths... particularly formulas and equations was more about remembering how to answer, rather than any complex skill. Thats how i was able to get an A in Maths. Im not so great now, doing it from the top off my head, because i use tools like excel, R studio, Power BI, that does all the hard work.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @@lxvideos1125 Without a good grasp of maths, we can't make good use of those tools, especially if you're talking about higher level analysis. Power Bi does what you tell it to do. And you need to be able to interpret what is shows you and to make decisions based on this. It might not seem that you're using your maths skills, but you certainly are.
      It's not just about passing tests. But that's why the data is important because it shows that maths outcomes correlate with life outcomes.

    • @lxvideos1125
      @lxvideos1125 День назад

      @ appreciate the feedback 👊🏽

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @@lxvideos1125 I do think maths can be a bit formulaic (this is how you answer this). That's basically the stuff I've been doing with my children lately. I'm thinking of how I can explore the other elements of it with my children, the shapes, patterns and that sorts of stuff.

  • @sjc9738
    @sjc9738 День назад +1

    I grew up doing the English School system in Bermuda (former colony) 1 in 4 black Bermudian boys do not graduate high school here, I remember struggling with Maths in school and I went to a private secondary school, do you reckon struggling with maths from a young age impacts a students sense of self maybe they feel stupid when they first don't understand when they're young and then carry this frustrating self-fulfilling prophecy into young adulthood.

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @@sjc9738 I think you're probably on to something about struggles in maths. I'll ruminate on that, thanks.

  • @mvp_kryptonite
    @mvp_kryptonite 2 дня назад +1

    I have always equated having a high level of mathematical ability, is like being classically trained if you’re a music artist. Life is just easier

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  2 дня назад

      @@mvp_kryptonite That's a great analogy!

    • @mvp_kryptonite
      @mvp_kryptonite 2 дня назад +1

      @@elywanandathink my reply vanished..

    • @elywananda
      @elywananda  День назад

      @mvp_kryptonite RUclips comments sections are like the Bermuda Triangle bro. I've checked and can't see it anywhere

  • @moshudoduwade219
    @moshudoduwade219 День назад +1

    If a child at the age of 8 years old and they do Mathematics 5 hrs a day 7 days a week for 10 years, when they are 18 years old, they will be very good in Mathematics.