Students’ attitudes and performance in mathematics in secondary schools in Kasubi parish in Kampala City
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Date
2013-08
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Education, Open and Distance Learning
Abstract
Students’ attitude towards Mathematics has been a factor that is known to influence students’ performance in Mathematics. The purpose of this study is to find out the students’ attitude and its impact on performance in mathematics in secondary schools in Kasubi parish in Kampala city. A sample of 40 respondents was used including 30 students and 10 teachers. The study found out that both boys and girls have the same attitude towards mathematics but the difference arises only due to stereotypes that mathematics is a male domain dominated subject; it is also found that good achievement in mathematics develops positive attitudes towards mathematics; students believe that mathematics is useful in life however, there are some who study it because it is in the curriculum but don’t see its usefulness. In general, the study established these students’ attitudes: positively; mathematics is important because of its everyday use in life and other fields, students associate math with ease and pleasure and negatively; mathematics is difficult, math is a subject that makes students uncomfortable and restless and that math is an unchangeable subject that is associated with innate ability to do it well otherwise lack of that ability makes one a poor mathematician. The study recommended that in order to build positive attitudes in students; parents, teachers and other stake holders should take up positive attitudes in the subject, school teachers should provide more opportunities for students to work on non-routine and challenging tasks, also teachers should provide intrinsic motivation to students, teachers should create situations that promote pleasure and competence which will promote positive attitudes towards mathematics.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science with Education of Kampala International University
Keywords
Students’ attitudes, Performance in mathematics, Secondary schools, Kasubi Parish, Kampala City