Classroom Practices Workshop Targets Math Anxiety

October 26, 2026 - 19:47

The UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago, together with the UNESCO Chair "Teacher education for teaching mathematics in the twenty-first century" at the Center for Mathematical Modeling, hosted a workshop focused on classroom practices aimed at addressing mathematics anxiety. The event brought together educators, researchers, and teacher trainers to examine why so many students arrive at school convinced they are simply not good at mathematics, and what teachers can do about it.

Participants discussed how negative beliefs about math ability form early and often harden into lasting avoidance. Sessions explored practical classroom strategies, including problem-based activities, collaborative work, and assessment methods that reward reasoning rather than speed. Presenters stressed that teachers need support in recognizing math anxiety and in reshaping their own instructional habits.

The workshop also highlighted the role of teacher education programs in preparing future instructors to create classrooms where mistakes are treated as part of learning. Organizers noted that changing how mathematics is taught, and how success in the subject is defined, can help students rebuild confidence and engage more fully with the material.