A Study about Attitudes of Students of Standard- 8 th towards Mathematics
ABSTRACT
The present study was about to investigate the attitudes of students of standard-8th towards Mathematics. A total of 661 students were selected in the sample including 326 Girls and 335 Boys. The present study was a survey research. A Standard Attitude Scale of “Fennema – Sherman Mathematics Attitude Scale” was used to measure attitudes. Results were analyzed using chi-square test, percentages, average score and priority ranks. From the findings, it was observed that students want success and are having a good self confidence in mathematics. Some of the students are also having anxiety about mathematics examination. Boys worry more than girls in mathematics and girls are having more self motivation than boys. The results also show that students believe in the fact that to live life, the knowledge of mathematics is important.
Key Words: Survey, Fenneme-Sherman, Mathematics, Attitude
Introduction
In the creation and developments of science and technology mathematics played an important role in any field of human life. The importance of mathematics can’t be underestimated. The evolution of human culture and discipline of civilization is due to mathematics. Attitudes made an important role to enhance the subject correlation with behaviour of a person.
Research result shows that almost students are mature enough at the age of 13 to 14 about. Attitudes are not born. But it is possible to make assertive attitude in a person.
The present situation of mathematics shows that many students are not interested in mathematics and because of that they are going running away from mathematics. Keeping in mind this all these, the investigator decided to study the attitudes of students towards mathematics as an important aspect.
Statement of the Problem
The statement of the problem for the present study is as given below:
A study about the Attitudes of Students of Standard – 8th
towards Mathematics
Objective of the study
- To study the attitude towards success in mathematics of the students of standard- 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the attitude towards success in mathematics with reference to sex of students of standard-8th of primary schoosl under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the anxiety towards mathematics of students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the anxiety towards mathematics with reference to sex of students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the motivation towards mathematics of students of standard- 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the motivation towards mathematics with reference to sex of students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the confidence towards mathematics of students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the confidence towards mathematics with reference to sex of students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the usefulness of mathematics by students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
- To study the usefulness of mathematics with reference to sex of students of standard – 8th of primary schools under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas.
Questions under Study
- Which types of attitude towards success in mathematics students of standard – 8th of primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards success in mathematics of Girls and Boys of standard 8 of primary school under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards anxiety of mathematics of students of standard – 8th of primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards anxiety of mathematics of Girls and Boys of standard – 8th of primary school under taking by Valsad district Panchayatas have?
- Which types of attitude towards motivation on mathematics of students of standard -8th of primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards motivation on mathematics of Girls and Boys of standard – 8th of primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards confidence in mathematics of students of standard – 8th of primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards confidence in mathematics of Girls and Boys of standard 8thof primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards the usefulness of mathematics of students of standard - 8th of primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
- Which types of attitude towards the usefulness of mathematics of Girls and Boys of standard -8thof primary school under taking by Valsad District's Panchayatas having?
Design of the study
For this study survey design was used.
Population and selection of sample
The population for the present study was primary schools of Valsad district, under taking by Valsad District’s Panchayatas, in which standard – 8th is being started from academic year 2010-11.
Each Taluka of Valsad District was selected for sample. From every taluka, six schools are selected randomly using by lottery technique. From this all school total 661 students were selected including 326 Girls and 335 Boys.
Tools of the study
For the present study, a standard Attitude Scale – “Fennema – Sherman math attitude scale” is referred. This tool is standard tool and made in foreign and very popular tool to measure students’ attitudes toward math. This tool contains nine sections. From this, five sections is selected by Vashi (2006) and translated in Gujarati language. This translated tool is again standardized for south Gujarat. So researcher use this attitude scale in Gujarati language.
Limitation of the study
- This study was limited for the primary schools which are undertaking by Valsad District Panchayatas.
- This study was limited for those primary schools which started standard-8 from year 2010-11, which are undertaking by Valsad District Panchayatas.
- The study was limited for Gujarati medium only.
- The finding of the study cannot apply for secondary schools.
Method of Data collection
To study the objectives and questions researcher had taken permission of head masters of selected sample schools. After getting permission, with the help of assistances, who has proper knowledge about research, the data was collected from all selected schools.
Statistical analysis techniques
For the statistical analysis, chi-square test, percentages are used. Also average score is calculated and according to average sore priority rank is given.
Findings of the study
Finding of the study are as given below:
- Students want success in mathematics.
- Girls want to be more successful than Boys in mathematics.
- Boys have more worry than Girls in mathematics.
- Students are self motivated in mathematics.
- Girls are having more self motivation than Boys.
- Students are having a good self confidence of mathematics.
- Students think that mathematics is useful.
- Student are having anxiety about mathematics exam.
- Students calculate in mathematics joyfully.
- Students like to perform well in mathematics.
- Students believe that to live life, the knowledge of mathematics is important.
Conclusion
Mathematics is the mirror of civilization. If students are taught by different methods, approaches and techniques then they will gain better knowledge. But the first most important thing is that, students have positive attitudes toward mathematics. If a teacher can improve positive attitudes in students about mathematics then it is sure that students will not go far from mathematics.
References::
- Best, J. W. (1953). Research in Education. New Delhi:Prantice Hall India, Pvt. Ltd.
- Desai, H. G. and Desai, K. G. ( 1997). Sanshodhan Paddhatio Ane Pravidhio.
(6th Edition). Amadavad: University Granth Nirman Board,Gujarat rajya.
- Shah, D. B. (2009). Shaishanik Shanshodhan:Disha Darshan. Amadavad: Pramukh Prakashan.
- Vashi(2006). A Study of Attitudes of Students of Secondary school Towards Mathematics. An Unpublished M.Ed. Dissertation. Surat: VNSGU.
- http://www.articlbase.com /education-articles.
- http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/math/gender/08scale.html.
- http://www.rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/cho25344l.htm
- http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/748467?uid=3738256&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21100950019473
- http://ponce.inter.edu/cai/tesis/bfeliciano/apendc.pdf
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Dr. Namrata Kantilal Patel
Adhyapak Sahayak,
Shree Rang Shikshan Mahavidyalaya,
Bilimora.
Email: nisha_patel1603@yahoo.co.in
(M) 9998632276
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