Things That Are and Are Not Changing as a Result of Re-Teaching Myself Basic Math
Things That Are Changing
I am less anxious about basic math.
I have more tools for doing basic arithmetic problems.
I'm better at identifying which will be the fastest or easiest tool for any given problem.
I can more quickly and easily ID when an exact answer is needed or when an estimate will suffice.
I'm marginally better at noticing when an answer can't be correct.
Things That Are Not Changing
I still transpose numbers frequently.
I still transpose operations frequently (adding when I should subtract, dividing when I should multiply, etc.)
I still have initial anxiety when looking at a math problem, before the "oh yeah, I have more tools for addressing this now" kicks in.
I still frequently mix up my right and my left.
My sense of direction is still bad.
I cracked Maths - No Problem! Textbook 4A today, putting me halfway through the series. I'm making this list for future reference, because I suspect the things that aren't changing will continue to not change.
Better math education won't change the fact that I have dyscalculia. I didn't expect it to, but I also didn't know what it would or wouldn't change. When I started this, I didn't know where my dyscalculia ended and my poor math education or math anxiety began.
Still, if we can fix "poor math education" and "math anxiety," I'll be much further ahead than when I started - and more willing to live with the dyscalculia.
