Developmental Mathematics Students: Who are They and What is Their Mathematics Self-Efficacy?

Öz

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine differences in developmental mathematics students’ self-efficacy within the demographic data from the survey. Data from a sample of 240 Intermediate Algebra students at a single four-year university using the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Results indicate that males possess higher levels of mathematics self-efficacy and confidence with their mathematical abilities than females. Students who completed a lower developmental mathematics course prior to Intermediate Algebra possess lower levels of mathematics self-efficacy. The results of this study suggest developmental mathematics instructors should refine their teaching methodologies by incorporating strategies to increase their student’s self-efficacy.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Developmental mathematics
• Higher education
• Self-Efficacy
• Traditional and non-traditional students
• Gender
• Ethnicity

Developmental Mathematics Students: Who are They and What is Their Mathematics Self-Efficacy?

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine differences in developmental mathematics students’ self-efficacy within the demographic data from the survey. Data from a sample of 240 Intermediate Algebra students at a single four-year university using the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Results indicate that males possess higher levels of mathematics self-efficacy and confidence with their mathematical abilities than females. Students who completed a lower developmental mathematics course prior to Intermediate Algebra possess lower levels of mathematics self-efficacy. The results of this study suggest developmental mathematics instructors should refine their teaching methodologies by incorporating strategies to increase their student’s self-efficacy.

Keywords

• Developmental mathematics
• Higher education
• Self-Efficacy
• Traditional and non-traditional students
• Gender
• Ethnicity

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