Should Students Memorize the Timestables by Doing Mad Minutes?

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Mad Minute times table drills, where students are given a short period of time - typically a minute to complete as many multiplication facts as possible, are a common practice in classrooms. They aim to increase fluency and automaticity in basic math facts. Let’s break down the pros and cons of this approach, and address whether it should be done in an orderly fashion and under time pressure, as well as what research suggests.

Pros of Mad Minute Timestable Facts

1. Builds Fluency and Automaticity:
   Mad Minute drills help students quickly recall basic math facts.
   Fluency with multiplication facts is essential for success in more complex math tasks, like multi-digit multiplication, division, and algebra.

2. Enhances Confidence:
   When students successfully complete these drills, it can boost their confidence in their math abilities. Immediate feedback and improvement can be motivating.

3. Time Management Skills:
   Being timed encourages students to focus, manage their time effectively, and work under pressure, which can be beneficial for standardized testing and other timed assessments.

4. Gamification:
   The timed, competitive nature of Mad Minutes can make learning fun for some students, especially if the challenge is framed as a game or competition.

5. Tracking Progress:
   It provides teachers with a quick and easy way to assess how well students have memorized their times tables, identifying areas where more practice is needed.

Cons of Mad Minute Timestable Facts

1. Anxiety and Stress:
   Timed tests can cause significant anxiety for some students, particularly those who struggle with math. This can lead to negative feelings towards math and affect their overall performance.

2. Speed vs. Understanding:
   The focus on speed can sometimes overshadow a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Students may rush through answers, and while they may recall facts quickly, this does not necessarily mean they understand the "why" behind them.

3. Negative Impact on Math Confidence:
   For students who struggle with fact recall or who have learning differences (like dyscalculia), timed drills can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration, which can diminish their overall confidence in math.

4. Limited Scope:
   Mad Minute focuses on rote memorization rather than critical thinking or problem-solving skills. It does not help students develop strategies for working through more complex math problems.

5. Not Suitable for All Learners:
   Every student learns at a different pace. Timed drills may disadvantage students who process information more slowly, even if they eventually know the facts well.

Should Mad Minute Drills Be Done in an Orderly Fashion?

Having the multiplication facts presented in an orderly fashion  if doing them, is the way to go. Start with the 2 times tables, the 10 times tables and the 5 times tables. As students learn those, move to the doubles - 2x2, 3x3, 4x4 etc. When these are all known, then try random. Students need to progress at their own level.

IMPORTANT: However, randomizing the facts after initial mastery is important to ensure that students truly know the facts, not just the order they appear in. A mix of both orderly and random drills might be the most effective approach.

Should Mad Minute Drills Be Timed?

Timing drills has both advantages and disadvantages. Timed tests can increase fluency, but if overused, they can also increase stress. Some research suggests that focusing too much on speed can be detrimental to students' confidence and enjoyment of math.

Research from Jo Boaler (Stanford University) and others emphasizes that focusing too heavily on timed tests may cause math anxiety, especially in younger children. These researchers advocate for a balance between building fluency and encouraging a deep understanding of numbers, suggesting that speed should not be the only focus in math learning.

What Does the Research Say?

1. Fluency Matters, Not Just Speed:
   Studies show that fluency in basic facts is important for later mathematical success, but this fluency doesn't necessarily need to be developed through timed tests. Games, number talks, and math centers that encourage practice in a low-stress environment may also be effective.

2. Math Anxiety and Timed Tests:
   Research, especially from educational psychologists, indicates that timed math tests can lead to math anxiety in some students, particularly those who struggle with working memory or processing speed. Math anxiety has been linked to poor long-term performance in math.

3. Differentiation is Key:
   Educators are encouraged to differentiate their instruction. Some students may thrive under timed pressure, while others benefit from more time to process the facts. Personalizing the approach can lead to better outcomes for a diverse classroom.

Conclusion:

Mad Minute drills can be an effective tool for building fluency in multiplication facts, but they should be used thoughtfully. For many students, they can boost confidence and help develop a quick recall of basic facts. However, for others, they may increase stress and lead to a negative perception of math.

The most balanced approach is to:

• Use a mix of orderly and only randomized drills when the 2's, 5's, 10's and doubles are known..
• Include timed practice but also provide untimed opportunities for students to build fluency at their own pace.
• Consider alternative ways of practicing facts, like games, group work, or technology, especially for students who struggle with timed pressure.

Differentiating instruction based on individual student needs can ensure that every learner progresses in their mastery of multiplication facts without unnecessary anxiety or frustration.

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