A Study Of Mathematics Anxiety in Pre-Service Teachers

The study investigated the changes in levels of mathematics anxiety among pre-service teachers in six different sections of a mathematics method courses for early childhood/elementary education pre-service teachers. The changes were a function of using Bruner’s framework of developing conceptual knowledge before procedural knowledge and using manipulatives and other activities to make mathematics concepts more concrete and meaningful. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative measures. Two hundred forty-six pre-service teachers completed a 98-item Likert-type survey. Informal discussions, informal interviews, and questionnaire-guided narrative interviews were conducted with pre-service teachers. Data revealed a statistically significant reduction in mathematics anxiety in pre-service teachers (p < .001) who completed a mathematics methods course that emphasized Bruner’s model of concept development. Results of the study have implications for teacher education programs concerning how future teachers are trained, the measurement of mathematics anxiety levels among pre-service teachers, and the determination of specific contexts in which mathematics anxiety can be interpreted and reduced.     

A Comparison of Preservice Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety Before and After a Methods Class Emphasizing Manipulatives

The changes in levels of mathematics anxiety among future teachers in two different mathematics materials and methods classes were investigated. The changes were a function of using: (a) Bruner's framework of developing conceptual knowledge before procedural knowledge, and (b) manipulatives to make mathematics concepts more concrete. The sample included 87 preservice teachers enrolled in mathematics methods courses. Two strategies were used to gather data both at the beginning and ending of each quarter. First, future teachers completed 98-item, Likert-type questionnaires. Second, some of the factors that influence the levels of mathematics anxiety were determined through the use of questionnaire-guided narrative interviews. Multivariate analysis of variance was employed as the quantitative measure for comparing mathematics anxiety both at the beginning and ending of the quarter. Data revealed a statistically significant reduction of mathematics anxiety levels (p < .05). Tukey's HSD was used to determine that a significant difference in mathematics anxiety levels occurred between the classes in the fall and winter quarters. Results of the study have implications for teacher education programs concerning the measurement of mathematics anxiety levels among future teachers and the determination of specific contexts in which that anxiety can be interpreted and reduced.     

Mathematics-related anxiety and attitudes: examining the impact among Latina preservice teachers

The purpose of this study was to investigate mathematics-related anxiety and attitudes among Latina preservice teachers. Three sections from the Inventory of Mathematics Attitudes, Experience, and Self Awareness were administered to preservice teachers enrolled in a curriculum and instruction mathematics course during the 1st semester of a 2-semester credential program. Pre- and postsurvey data were examined among female students. There were significant differences on 5 statements that suggest positive perceptions about mathematics and 5 statements that suggest negative perceptions about mathematics. We discuss strategies to reduce mathematics anxiety and address attitudes in preservice teachers.     

Mathematics anxiety and mathematics teacher efficacy in elementary pre‐service teachers

This study investigated the relationship between mathematics anxiety and mathematics teacher efficacy among 156 elementary pre‐service teachers from a university in the southeastern United States. Data sources included the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS), Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument, and pre‐service teacher interviews. Findings revealed a significant, negative relationship between mathematics anxiety and mathematics teachers’ efficacy (r = ?.475, p<.05). Specifically, the pre‐service teachers with the lowest degree of mathematics anxiety had the highest levels of mathematics teacher efficacy. Interviews with pre‐service teachers indicated that their mathematics anxiety is associated with efficaciousness toward mathematics teaching practices and is the basis for their mathematics teaching efficacy beliefs.     

初中生数学逆商的调查与分析——基于数学考试成绩和数学考试焦虑维度

基于数学考试成绩和数学考试焦虑的维度探讨影响数学逆商的因素有利于揭示初中生数学学习过程中的真实状态,探寻大面积提高学生数学学习水平的方略.采用自编的数学逆商调查量表、数学考试焦虑量表以及学生期中数学考试成绩等对初中生进行调查.发现:初中生的数学逆商和数学考试成绩呈显著正相关(P<0.01),数学考试成绩对数学逆商具有显著影响作用.初中生的数学逆商和数学考试焦虑呈显著负相关(P<0.01),数学考试焦虑的缓解有利于数学逆商的提升.     

Teaching anxieties revealed: pre-service elementary teachers’ reflections on their mathematics teaching experiences

Over the last 50?years, there has been ample research dedicated to mathematics anxiety in contexts of teaching and learning. However, there has been less attention focused on pre-service teachers’ anxieties about teaching mathematics in classroom settings. This study analyzed pre-service teachers’ reflections at the conclusion of an elementary mathematics field experience in order to determine common themes surrounding anxiety-related events based on mathematics practice-teaching experiences. Through qualitative analysis of pre-service teachers’ reflections using open and axial coding, three categories and ten themes surrounding elementary pre-service teachers’ anxiety-related events based on mathematics practice-teaching experiences emerged. Some of the themes presented were ones that increased pre-service teachers’ anxieties for teaching mathematics, whereas other themes reflected aspects of the field experience that decreased anxiety for teaching mathematics. Based on the themes revealed in this study, suggestions for strategies and materials that could be developed for university mathematics methods courses are discussed. Novel perspectives for considering mathematics teaching anxiety, such as locus of control and future time perspective, are shared.     

中学生数学焦虑的调查与分析

数学焦虑作为一种消极的数学学习体验已成为数学教育中的一个热点问题.对数学焦虑与数学成绩、数学兴趣、自我效能、性别差异和年级差异的关系进行调查,结果发现:数学成绩与数学焦虑显著相关;数学兴趣、自我效能均与数学焦虑呈显著负相关;男、女生在数学焦虑上存在显著差异,女生焦虑水平比男生高;中学各个年级的数学焦虑水平没有显著差异,初三学生的焦虑水平在中学阶段是最高的.     

Prior mathematics achievement,cognitive appraisals and anxiety as predictors of Finnish students’ later mathematics performance and career orientation

The aim of this two‐year longitudinal study was to investigate the role and impact of prior mathematics performance, cognitive appraisals and mathematics‐specific, affective anxiety in determining later mathematics achievement and future career orientation among Finnish adolescents. The basic ideas of the control‐value theory, assumed to be culturally universal, and previous controversial results regarding the relationship between mathematics anxiety and mathematics achievement were tested in the Finnish cultural context with a longitudinal design. The key premise of the control‐value theory is that control and value appraisals are significant determinants of both activity and outcome achievement emotions. Our results suggest that mathematics anxiety, a prospective outcome emotion, is determined by outcome expectancies (success or failure) and outcome value (the importance of performing well). They also suggest that anxiety as a negative affective emotion is a problem not only for those who perform poorly but probably also for certain pupils across all achievement levels. Compared with the performance level and with the boys, the girls exhibited inaccurately low outcome expectancies in mathematics. These low expectancies connected to the negative value of failure are a potential cause for their higher anxiety level. The educational implications of the findings are discussed.     

国外数学焦虑的研究进展

数学焦虑是一种特殊的学科焦虑。从数学焦虑的心理层面出发,一些测量数学焦虑的工具被开发出来,并得出了它的维度。数学焦虑的影响因素主要来自三个方面:环境性因素、个体的人格特征和情境性因素,同时数学焦虑会影响到数学认知,进而影响个体的数学成绩。     

大一新生数学焦虑的成因与对策

高等数学教学实践中发现,大一新生由于学习方法不适应等原因,面对数学问题时,常常产生焦虑,因而影响了学习效果。为此,结合大一数学教学中的常量与变量转换、数学思维欠缺、创新意识匮乏、教学方法陈旧及生活环境变化等因素,探讨大一新生产生数学焦虑的原因,给出了缓解焦虑的五个对策。     

Identifying affective domains that correlate and predict mathematics performance in high-performing students in Singapore

Past studies have shown that distinct yet highly correlated sub-constructs of three broad mathematics affective variables: (a) motivation, (b) attitudes and (c) anxiety, have varying degree of correlation with mathematics achievement. The sub-constructs of these three affective constructs are as follows: (a) (i) amotivation, (ii) external regulation, (iii) introjection, (iv) identification, (v) intrinsic motivation; (b) (i) enjoyment of mathematics, (ii) self-confidence in mathematics, (iii) perceived value of mathematics; (c) (i) anxiety with mathematics and (ii) ease with mathematics. This study identifies, both within and across these three affective variables, the key sub-constructs that educators should focus upon when selecting learning process variables for mathematics achievement. Results were analysed using a series of stepwise regression analyses using data from 1018 Grade 12 students enrolled in a top pre-tertiary institution in Singapore, both for concurrent and predictive relationships, and also for both genders. Results of this study showed that after taking into account self-confidence in mathematics and ease with mathematics, all other sub-constructs of mathematics motivation, attitudes and anxiety were not significantly correlated with mathematics achievement. This is true for both concurrent and predictive relationships, and for both genders. Implications of the results of this study are twofold. First, results of this study provide educators with priority affective variables to focus upon in their efforts to enhance performance in mathematics via the affective domain. Second, in situations where administration time is limited, it may be possible to consider only self-confidence and ease with mathematics when investigating relationships between affect and mathematics achievement.     

Exploring early childhood preservice teachers’ mathematics anxiety and mathematics efficacy beliefs

Early childhood preservice teachers participated in a qualitative multiple case study to explore and examine the effectiveness of reform-based constructivist methods used in a mathematics methods course to change their mathematics anxiety, mathematics self-efficacy, and mathematics teachers’ efficacy beliefs. Findings indicated that instructor’s use of a variety of reform-based strategies to teach and model concepts were effective in reducing their mathematics anxiety and improving their mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics teaching efficacy beliefs. Based on these findings, it is recommended that mathematics methods course instructors use reform-based constructivist methods in their courses as outlined by the NCTM’s (2014) principles. Teacher educators must also consider carefully their attitudes and disposition toward mathematics along with the type of classroom and learning environment they establish in mathematics methods courses. They must emphasize conceptual understanding during mathematics methods courses, understand the connection between preservice teachers’ mathematics anxiety and mathematics efficacy beliefs, and integrate field experiences as well as peer teaching opportunities into mathematics methods courses.     

数学学习焦虑的预防与消除

学习心理学的相关研究表明：一部分学生的确存在数学学习焦虑这样一种心理现象。引起中小学生数学学习的焦虑的因素主要有数学学科的性质、教师的行为和学习者的个性特点。控制焦虑、改善学生数学学习的途径有：帮助学生分析焦虑的真正内容与根源，使用技术暗示及鼓励合作学习等。     

Additive and multiplicative effects of working memory and test anxiety on mathematics performance in grade 3 students

The aim of this study was to investigate the interplay between test anxiety and working memory (WM) on mathematics performance in younger children. A sample of 624 grade 3 students completed a test battery consisting of a test anxiety scale, WM tasks and the Swedish national examination in mathematics for grade 3. The main effects of test anxiety and WM, and the two-way interaction between test anxiety and WM on mathematics performance, were modelled with structural equation modelling techniques. Additionally, the effects were also tested separately on tasks with high WM demands (mathematical problem-solving) versus low WM demands (basic arithmetic). As expected, WM positively predicted mathematics performance in all three models (overall mathematics performance, problem-solving tasks, and basic arithmetic). Test anxiety had a negative effect on problem-solving on the whole sample level but concerning basic arithmetic only students with lower WM were affected by the negative effects of test anxiety on performance. Thus, students with low WM are more vulnerable to the negative effects of test anxiety in low WM tasks like basic arithmetic. The results are discussed in relation to the early identification of test anxiety.     

将素质教育思想融入数学教学之中

高等数学是电大开放教育财经、理工专业的一门基础必修课。在开放教育数学教学中,必须充分发挥数学课程的实用、思维、德育、美育等功能,注重数学思想方法教学,运用多种教学方式,培养学生思维能力和自主学习的能力。     

美国《中学数学教与学》教材的特点及其对中国数学教师教育的启示

美国《中学数学教与学》是初中年级数学教师教育"数学教学法"课程的教材,其特点表现为:单元主题以数学教学理论为线索呈现,单元内容以具体数学知识为载体展开并且以参与式活动的形式组织教学活动.该教材对我国的数学教师教育有如下启示:数学教师教育课程应以数学知识为载体学习数学教育理论;数学教师教育教材应突出教学方式的示范性,体现做中学,在数学教学活动中学习数学教学方法;数学教师教育应注重教师学科专业素质的提升.     

数学教育专业开设数学实验课程的思考与探索

本文论述了数学教育专业开设数学实验课程的重要意义,从师资和硬件设施两方面分析了开设数学实验课程的可行性,阐述了数学实验课程教学计划的制定、教学模式的探索、教学内容的设计、教学方法的选择及课程的开放式评价等方面的思考和探索。     

进城务工人员子女初中阶段数学焦虑调查研究——来自桂林市石油中学与穿山中学的案例

数学焦虑在一定程度上影响着学生的数学学习.进城务工人员子女初中阶段的数学焦虑受数学学科特点、学生个体自身特点、教师的行为教法、班级的环境气氛和家庭背景的影响.数学教师在教学中应细心观察、及时发现、及时教育、帮助学生分析数学焦虑的实质;帮助学生建立自信心,增强数学自我效能感;对进城务工人员的子女准确实施教育评价;培养学生正确的数学观、激发学习动机;教给学生学习的策略,提高学习技能.     

在高等数学课程中引入数学史教育的教法探讨与实践

高等数学是理工科学生的基础课程,而数学史教育是此课程中的重要组成部分,对学生更好地学习高等数学课程有积极作用。采用"在教学过程中穿插数学史教育"、"课后与学生交流数学史"、"在作业及考核环节中增加数学史部分"等方式,对高等数学课程进行了部分改良和推动,引入了数学史教育,在学生中取得了较好的反馈,教学效果也有较大提高。实践表明,在高等数学课程中引入数学史教育,能有效地提升高等数学课程的教育水平。