Research Article
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Mathematics Anxiety among Secondary Level Students in Nepal

Year 2019, Volume: 14 , 34 - 40, 20.09.2019

Abstract

This
paper explores the association between the perceived classroom environment and
mathematics learning and test anxiety among secondary level students in Nepal.
Categorizing the students in three dominant variables- gender, ethnicity and
previous schooling, and selecting sample students with respect to higher
mathematics anxiety from five heterogeneous classes, the research explores
disparities in student's mathematics cognition and reveals the nexus between
classroom environment and mathematics learning and test anxiety. This research
incorporates social learning theory and social development theory as
interpretive tools for analyzing themes through qualitative data. Focusing on
interviews with highly anxious students learning mathematics, the study sheds
light on how mathematics anxiety among the targeted students is interlinked
with multiple factors. The research basically exposes the students’ lack of
mathematical passion, their association with other students and participation
in classroom learning, asymmetrical content and their lack of preparedness for
tests, as the caustic factors behind such anxieties. The study further reveals
that students’ lack of foundational knowledge and the complexity of the mathematical
content have jointly contributed to mathematics anxiety. Admitting learning as
a reciprocal experience, the study points out that the students’ gender,
ethnicity and disparities in previous schooling in the context of Nepal has
very insignificant impact on students’ mathematics anxiety. It finally
recommends that those students who get trapped into the vicious cycle of
mathematics anxiety require a positive and supportive classroom environment
along with inspiring comments/compliments and symmetrical course contents.

References

  • Uusimaki, L. S. M., & Nason, R. (2003). The origins of pre-service primary education students' anxieties and negative feelings about mathematics. Paper presented at the "Performing Research" Conference 25 October 2003, QUT, Brisbane, Australia. Hunt, G. E. (1985). Math Anxiety: Where do you go from here? Focus on Learning in Mathematics, 7(2). Wood, E. F. (1988). Math anxiety and elementary teachers: what does research tell us? For the Learning of Mathematics, 8, 8-13. Richardson, F.C., &Suinn, R.M. (1972). The mathematics anxiety rating scale: Psychometric data. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 19(6), 551 – 554. Arem, C. A. (2003). Conquering Math Anxiety.2nd Edn. Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, ISBN-10: 0534386342, pp: 193. Kosslyn S. M, Rosenberg R. S. (2001). Psychology: The brain, the person, the world. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Bandalos, D. L., Yates, K., & Thorndike-Christ, T. (1995).The effects of math-self-concept, perceived self-efficacy, and attributions for success and failure on test anxiety. Journal of Educational Psychology, 87(4), 611-624. Bessant, K. C. (1995). Factors associated with types of math anxiety in college students. Journal for Research in Math Education, 26, 327–345. Conrad, K. S., & Tracy, D. M. (1992). Lowering pre-service teachers' mathematics anxiety through an experience-based mathematics methods course. Education Resources Information Center. Murray, H. A. (1938). Explorations in personality. New York: Oxford University Publishing. Dew, K. M. H., Galassi, J. P., & Galassi, M. D. (1983). Mathematics Anxiety: Some basic issues. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 30, 433-446. Hembree, R. (1990). The nature, effects and relief of mathematics anxiety. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 21, 33-46. Gresham, G. (2007). Mathematics anxiety in elementary students. CMC ComMuniCator, 29(2), 28-29. Yenilmez, K., Girginer, N., &Uzun, O. (2007). Mathematics anxiety and attitude level of students of the faculty of economics and business administrator; The Turkey Model. International Mathematics Forum, 2(41), 1997-2021. Scarpello, G. V. (2005). The effect of mathematics anxiety on the course and career choice of high school vocational-technical education students, A Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Drexel University. Barnes, A. (2006). Investigating the causes of math anxiety in the high school classroom. In L.P. McCoy (Ed), Proceedings of Studies in Teaching 2006 Research Digest. NC: Winston- Salem. Furner, J. M., & Duffy, M. L. (2002). Equity for all students in the new millennium: Disabling math anxiety. Intervention in School and Clinic, 38, p. 67 – 74. Brown, B. &Duku, N. (2008). Negotiated identities: dynamics in parents' participation in school governance in rural Eastern Cape schools and implication for school leadership. South African Journal of Education, 28:431-450. Navarro, Z. (2006). ‘In Search of Cultural Interpretation of Power’, IDS Bulletin 37(6): 11-22 Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A social critique of the judgment of taste. London: Rutledge. Jacob, E. (1988). Clarifying qualitative research: A focus on traditions. Educational researcher, 17(1),16-24. Silverman, D. (2000). Analyzing talk and text. In N.K. Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nded.) (pp. 821-834). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods (2nded.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. Navarro, Z. (2006) ‘In Search of Cultural Interpretation of Power’, IDS Bulletin 37(6): 11-22. Crawford, K. (1996). Vygotskian approaches in human development in the information era. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 31(1-2), 43-62.
Year 2019, Volume: 14 , 34 - 40, 20.09.2019

Abstract

References

  • Uusimaki, L. S. M., & Nason, R. (2003). The origins of pre-service primary education students' anxieties and negative feelings about mathematics. Paper presented at the "Performing Research" Conference 25 October 2003, QUT, Brisbane, Australia. Hunt, G. E. (1985). Math Anxiety: Where do you go from here? Focus on Learning in Mathematics, 7(2). Wood, E. F. (1988). Math anxiety and elementary teachers: what does research tell us? For the Learning of Mathematics, 8, 8-13. Richardson, F.C., &Suinn, R.M. (1972). The mathematics anxiety rating scale: Psychometric data. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 19(6), 551 – 554. Arem, C. A. (2003). Conquering Math Anxiety.2nd Edn. Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, ISBN-10: 0534386342, pp: 193. Kosslyn S. M, Rosenberg R. S. (2001). Psychology: The brain, the person, the world. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Bandalos, D. L., Yates, K., & Thorndike-Christ, T. (1995).The effects of math-self-concept, perceived self-efficacy, and attributions for success and failure on test anxiety. Journal of Educational Psychology, 87(4), 611-624. Bessant, K. C. (1995). Factors associated with types of math anxiety in college students. Journal for Research in Math Education, 26, 327–345. Conrad, K. S., & Tracy, D. M. (1992). Lowering pre-service teachers' mathematics anxiety through an experience-based mathematics methods course. Education Resources Information Center. Murray, H. A. (1938). Explorations in personality. New York: Oxford University Publishing. Dew, K. M. H., Galassi, J. P., & Galassi, M. D. (1983). Mathematics Anxiety: Some basic issues. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 30, 433-446. Hembree, R. (1990). The nature, effects and relief of mathematics anxiety. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 21, 33-46. Gresham, G. (2007). Mathematics anxiety in elementary students. CMC ComMuniCator, 29(2), 28-29. Yenilmez, K., Girginer, N., &Uzun, O. (2007). Mathematics anxiety and attitude level of students of the faculty of economics and business administrator; The Turkey Model. International Mathematics Forum, 2(41), 1997-2021. Scarpello, G. V. (2005). The effect of mathematics anxiety on the course and career choice of high school vocational-technical education students, A Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Drexel University. Barnes, A. (2006). Investigating the causes of math anxiety in the high school classroom. In L.P. McCoy (Ed), Proceedings of Studies in Teaching 2006 Research Digest. NC: Winston- Salem. Furner, J. M., & Duffy, M. L. (2002). Equity for all students in the new millennium: Disabling math anxiety. Intervention in School and Clinic, 38, p. 67 – 74. Brown, B. &Duku, N. (2008). Negotiated identities: dynamics in parents' participation in school governance in rural Eastern Cape schools and implication for school leadership. South African Journal of Education, 28:431-450. Navarro, Z. (2006). ‘In Search of Cultural Interpretation of Power’, IDS Bulletin 37(6): 11-22 Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A social critique of the judgment of taste. London: Rutledge. Jacob, E. (1988). Clarifying qualitative research: A focus on traditions. Educational researcher, 17(1),16-24. Silverman, D. (2000). Analyzing talk and text. In N.K. Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nded.) (pp. 821-834). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods (2nded.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications. Navarro, Z. (2006) ‘In Search of Cultural Interpretation of Power’, IDS Bulletin 37(6): 11-22. Crawford, K. (1996). Vygotskian approaches in human development in the information era. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 31(1-2), 43-62.
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Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Krishna Chandra Paudel This is me

Publication Date September 20, 2019
Published in Issue Year 2019 Volume: 14

Cite

APA Paudel, K. C. (2019). Mathematics Anxiety among Secondary Level Students in Nepal. The Eurasia Proceedings of Educational and Social Sciences, 14, 34-40.