Contrary to common practice in classrooms, a new study claims the best way to learn Math is to approach the subject as something to enjoy.

In a research study entitled "Fluency Without Fear", lead author Jo Boaler, a Stanford professor of mathematics education, presented research evidence on the best ways to learn Math.

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With co-authors Cathy Williams, co-founder of YouCubed, and Amanda Confer, a Stanford graduate student, the study pointed out that developing "number sense" is much more effective than speed drills and timed exercises students hate.

Researchers also found evidence high-achieving students use number sense instead of mere memorization. Low-achieving students are students who rely on memorization and don't know how to use numbers flexibly.

"The more we emphasize memorization to students, the less willing they become to think about numbers and their relations and to use and develop number sense," said Boaler.

She also pointed out how English and Mathematics are treated differently when English also requires students to memorize a lot.

Students don't view English as a subject that requires memorization but a subject that can be learned and used in many situations such as talking, reading and writing.

Unlike English, people see Math as a subject of timed memorization and calculation and "that Math is all about getting correct answers".

Boaler says this is a misconception as "the core of mathematics is reasoning -- thinking through why methods make sense and talking about reasons for the use of different methods".

"I work with a lot of mathematicians and one thing I notice about them is that they are not particularly fast with numbers, in fact some of them are rather slow. This is not a bad thing, they are slow because they think deeply and carefully about mathematics", said Laurent Schwartz, a top mathematician.

The research concludes the best ways to learn Math is through activities that focus on understanding numbers flexibly and conceptually.

Students should be working on using number sense in a way they enjoy instead of going through speed pressure and blind memorization, which is something they fear.

TagsMathematics, stanford, memorization, speed, Pressure