Why Is Math So Hard For Some Children?
Helping Children With Mild Learning Differences
December 10, 2020
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Expertise
Professor Berch is a cognitive and developmental psychologist with expertise in mathematical cognition, learning disabilities, and visuospatial working memory. He is Senior Editor of the book, Why is Math So Hard for Some Children? The Nature and Origins of Mathematical Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (co-edited by Michele Mazzocco), and is also Senior Editor of the five-volume book series, Mathematical Cognition and Learning (co-edited by David C. Geary and Kathleen Mann Koepke). Among other honors, he received the NIH Award of Merit, was elected Fellow of the American Psychological Association’s Society for Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Science as well as the APA’s Divisions of Developmental and Educational Psychology, and served as an ex officio member of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Mathematics Advisory Panel commissioned by President George W. Bush
Meet Our Speaker
Dr. Daniel B. Berch is Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology and Applied Developmental Science at the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development, where he also formerly served as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development. Although now retired, he remains active in his field by periodically contributing to the scholarly literature, occasionally giving talks on mathematical learning difficulties, and advising researchers on preparing competitive federal grant applications. Dr. Berch is currently a Special Advisor to the Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society for which he was the Founding Chair of the Governing Board, serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, and is also a member of the Research Advisory Board for the Aim Academy’s Institute for Learning & Research in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. During his free time, Dr. Berch enjoys reading nonfiction (biographies, humor, and science), walking, bowling, watching professional golf on TV, listening to bluegrass music, and writing limericks.
Credentials
Dr. Berch received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of New Mexico in 1969, his M.A. in Special Education from Michigan State University in 1967, and his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1965. Prior to coming to the University of Virginia, he was the Associate Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health. His previous federal service included a year spent as a Senior Research Associate at the U. S. Department of Education, advising the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement. He also formerly served as a member of the National Center for Learning Disabilities’ Professional Advisory Board for six years.
“I look forward to discussing how research has improved our understanding of students who struggle with learning mathematics and will also suggest some steps that parents and teachers can take toward identifying and alleviating such difficulties.”
Dr. Daniel B Berch