An Investigation of the Levels of Mathematics Anxiety in BA ISAGO Foundation Students

Morvyn Ngoni Nyakudya

Abstract


This research attempts to investigate the levels of mathematics fear, popularly known as mathematics anxiety in BA ISAGO University College (BIUC) students. The students are registered for various modules that include financial mathematics and quantitative methods as well as other mathematics related subjects such as Economics and Accounting. In their first sitting in November 2013, the majority of the students, constituting about 95%, failed the financial mathematics module, some scoring as low as 5%. This trend repeated itself in 2014 with indications that the same would manifest again in 2015 and beyond. This has prompted the current research to be urgently undertaken in order to try and investigate the causes of this high failure rate. Preliminary and informal discussions with the affected students have revealed that they generally have a phobia for mathematics. They also indicate that their phobia for the subject developed way back in high school and even in primary and pre-schools. This research therefore asks the question What makes these students fear mathematics?

The methodology for this study involves soliciting information/data from students pertaining to mathematics anxiety inherent in them. 255, three-section questionnaires were administered during class time. The analysis of the results have shown that (1) the majority of students (79%) scored grades C and D at high school, a not too desirable result for students embarking on a Bachelors degree in Commerce; (2) most students (81%) attended Government High Schools and (3) there were mixed feelings on how mathematics was hard (48%) or easy (14%) as well as those who cannot tell (38%). The implications for further study are also discussed.


Keywords


BA ISAGO University College; Math Anxiety; Mathematics.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Arem, C. A. (2003) Conquering math anxiety: a self-help workbook. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Ashcraft, M. H., & Krause J. A. (2007) Working memory, math performance, and math anxiety. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 14 (2: 243-248.

BA ISAGO University College Results Analysis, 2001 2013

Betz, N. (1978) Prevalence, distribution, and correlates of math anxiety in college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 25, 441448.

Cavanagh, R. and Sparrow, L. (no date). Measuring mathematics anxiety: Paper 1 - Developing a construct model.

Chewning, S. (2002) Overcoming Math Anxiety. OTED 785 Germanna #564.

Crawford, C. G. (1980). Math without fear. New York: New Visionpoints/ Vision Books.

Darla, J. (2005). Teachers have the power to alleviate math anxiety. Retrieved on 20 Dec. 2010 from http://www.hmetrozim.com/.

Durrani, N. & Tariq, V, (2009). Relationships between undergraduates mathematics anxiety and their attitudes towards developing numeracy skills and perceptions of numerical competence. Proceedings of ICERI2009 Conference, 16th 18th November 2009, Madrid, Spain. ISBN: 978-84-613-2955-7.

Evans, D. (2007) Developing Mathematical Proficiency in the Australian Context Implications for Students with Learning Difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities 40(5): 420-426.

Fiore, J. P. (1999). Succeed in college.

Frillier, K. (2005) Strategies for Preventing, Reducing and Overcoming the Problem. Unpublished Master Thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Gleason, J. (2009). Relationships between Pre-service Elementary Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety and Content Knowledge for Teaching. (PhD Thesis). Journal of Mathematical Sciences & mathematics Education, Vol. 3, No. 1 47

Gresham, G. (2007) A Study of Mathematics Anxiety in Pre-Service Teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal 35(2): 181-188.

Harding, G., & Terrell, S. L. (2006). Strategies for Alleviating Math Anxiety in the Visual Learner. Math Anxiety Workshop. University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

Harper, N., & Daane, C. (1998) Causes and reduction of math anxiety in preservice elementary teachers. Action Teachers Education, 19(4), 29-38.

Kaiser-Messner, G. (1993) Results of an empirical study into gender differences in attitudes towards mathematics. Education Studies in Mathematics 25: 209-233.

Khatoon, T., & Mahmood, A. (2010) Mathematics Anxiety Among Secondary School Students in India and its Relationship to Achievement in Mathematics. European Journal of Social Sciences 16(1): 75-86

Koedinger K. R. & Tabackneck H. J. M. (1994) Two strategies are better than one: Multiple strategy use in word problem solving. New Orleans, LA.

Luo, X., Wang, F. & Luo, Z. (2009) Investigation and Analysis of Mathematics Anxiety in Middle School Students. Journal of Mathematics Education 2(2): 12-19.

Mark-Zigdon, N. (2008) Kindergarten and first graders' knowledge of the number symbols: production and recognition. Retrieved on 10 December 2010 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NVC/is_1_30/ai_n25336255/

McKee, A. (2002) Textual analysis: a beginner's guide. SAGE Publications, London Thousand Oaks New Delhi.

Nathan, M. J., & Koedinger, K. R. (2000) Teachers' and Researchers' Beliefs about the Development of Algebraic Reasoning. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, Vol. 31, No. 2 (Mar., 2000), pp. 168-190.

Newstead, K., 1998 Aspect of childrens mathematics anxiety. Edu. Stud. Math 36: 53-71.

Noser, T.C., Tanner, J. R. & Shah, S. (2008). Have Basic Mathematical Skills Grown Obsolete In The Computer Age: Assessing Basic Mathematical Skills And Forecasting Performance In A Business Statistics Course. Journal of College Teaching & Learning. Volume 5, Number 4

Nyakudya, M. N. (2011), Mathematics Anxiety: A Cross-sectional Investigation of its levels in post-Secondary, pre-University period. Interdisciplinary Review of Economics and Management 1, 2(2011), 27-36.

Outhred, L. N., Michael C. & Mitchelmore, M. C. (2000) Young Children's Intuitive Understanding of Rectangular Area Measurement. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 31(2): 144-167.

Ridlon, C. L., (2004) The effect of a problem centered approach to mathematics on low-achieving sixth graders. Retrieved on 20 Dec. 2010 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NVC/is_2_26/ai_n6154491/.

Rossnan, S. (2006) Overcoming Math Anxiety. Mathitudes 1(1), 1-4.

Shalev, R. S., & von Aster, M. G. (2008). Identification, classification, and prevalence of developmental dyscalculia. Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy Development (pp. 1-9). London, ON: Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network. http://www.literacyencyclopedia.ca/pdfs/topic.php?topId=253.

Sherman, B. F., & Wither, D. P. (Post.) (2003) Mathematics Anxiety and Mathematics Achievement. Mathematics Education Research Journal 15(2): 138-150.

Spencer, S. J., Steele, C. M. & Quinn, D. M. (1999) Stereotype Threat and Womens Math Performance. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 35, 428.

Steele, M. M. (2004) A review of literature on mathematics instruction for elementary students with learning disabilities. University of North Carolina Wilmington, Watson School of Education. Retrieved on 5 January 2011 from

http://people.uncw.edu/steelem/vita%20II.htm.

Trigo, M. S. (2004) The role of technology in students' conceptual constructions in a sample case of problem solving. Retrieved on 5 Dec. 2010 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NVC/is_2_26/ai_n6154491/.

Wei, Q. (2010) The effects of Pedagogical Agents on Mathematics Anxiety and Mathematics Learning. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.

Wigfield, A., & Meece, J. L. (1988) Math anxiety in elementary and secondary school students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 80(2), 210-216.

Wilson, A. J. (2006) Dyscalculia Primer and Resource Guide. Paris Conference.

Yksel-?ahin, F. (2008). Mathematics anxiety among 4th and 5th grade Turkish Elementary School students. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education. Volume 3, Number 3, October 2008.

Zakaria, E., and Nordin, N. M. (2008) The effects of mathematics anxiety on matriculation students as related to motivation and achievement. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 4(1): 27-30.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


 

Copyright© 2015 Journal of Research in Business, Economics and Management. All rights reserved.

ISSN 2395-2210

For any help/support contact us at editorial@scitecresearch.com, jrbem@scitecresearch.com.