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HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
15th September 2005Sarah Parsons
Self-Confidence In Mathematics
Helping Everyone Learn Mathematics Conference
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEIs there an ‘attitude towards
mathematics’ problem?
I can’t do maths
I can’t do maths I don’t like
maths
I don’t like maths
Why was it ever
invented?
Why was it ever
invented?
It’s cool to be poor at mathematics and we’ve got to change that’
Smith, R., 2003, Professional Engineering
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGELack of Skills and
Lack of ConfidenceThe ‘mathematics problem’ is usually described as a skills problem, but this has two aspects: the knowledge of mathematical techniques/facts, and the confidence to make use of them …
To develop students’ mathematical confidence is a slow process, which cannot be achieved through quick remediation, unlike the problem of ‘filling in’ some gaps in mathematical knowledge.
Kent, P. and Noss, R., 2003Mathematics in the University Education of Engineers
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEDefining & Measuring Attitudes to Learning Maths
• What attitudes do students have?
• What effect do these attitudes have?
• How many students does this affect?
• What type of students does this affect?
• Where/when/why did these attitudes arise?
• Tip of the iceberg – most effects unseen
• What can be done about it?
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEWhat do we mean by Self-Confidence in Maths?
3 Levels are proposed:• Overall confidence
– ‘I can do Maths’ vs. ‘I can’t do Maths’– Overall belief in one’s maths ability– Can obstruct learning
• Task level confidence– Varies according to task and experience
• Apply Maths confidence– Apply maths in new/practical situations
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEQuestionnaires May 2005
• Approx. 250 questionnaires• 1st & 2nd year, Degree & HND students• All undergraduate engineering mathematics
& statistics modules• Engineering, Business, Surveying,
Agriculture, Animal Health students• Administered in final lectures by lecturers• Positive bias of samples
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEHarper Adams Background
• Small, friendly, specialist HE college• Aspire CETL - Advancing Skills for
Professionals in the Rural Economy• 1700 FTE students (approx.)• All students are taught some Maths/Stats• Mathematics Support since 2001• Agriculture subject has 2nd highest levels
of dyslexia nationally (HESA)
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Well-designed Modules• Modules recognised internally for excellence• Good student achievement & progression• Handouts provided• Designed for diverse students - basics
revised• Student exercises – by hand and computer• Mathematics Support provided• Q. ‘Which aspects of the module hindered
your learning?’ Most common response is ‘None’
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGENon-Engineering Students’
Confidence Maths/Stats/Life
A2 Students 11 4.2 3.5 3.3 0.9 0.3 0.6 4.3 3.4 3.7 70%
AS Students 6 4.2 3.7 3.3 0.8 0.3 0.5 3.5 3.3 3.0 30%
GCSE Grade A 8 3.8 3.4 3.6 0.1 -0.3 0.4 2.6 2.3 3.0 40%
Other Qual's 11 2.8 2.9 4.1 -1.3 -1.2 -0.1 2.9 2.7 3.2 20%
GCSE Grade B 41 3.1 2.8 3.7 -0.6 -0.9 0.3 3.1 2.6 2.5 30%
GCSE Grade C 30 2.7 2.3 3.6 -0.9 -1.2 0.3 2.5 1.9 2.3 20%
GCSE Grade D 9 1.8 2.1 3.3 -1.6 -1.2 -0.3 2.6 2.3 2.4 30%
Total Students 116
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HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEConclusions for Non-
Engineers’ Statistics Modules• A2, AS and GCSE Grade A students are
confident in maths and stats– Confidence in Maths > Stats > Life
• GCSE Grade B and below are generally not confident– Confidence in Stats < Maths < Life
• Only maths A2 students would choose to study the stats module (some of whom were bored)
• 70+% students are reluctant to study statistics
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEGCSE Grade B students
• Surprise that Grade B are not confident• A quarter rate Confidence = 1 or 2• 54% rate Maths below Life confidence• Grade B student comment examples:
Bad experiences with maths previously have made me have little confidence in my maths ability now. So don't try very hard as believe will get it wrong anyway. (Intermediate tier)
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEGCSE Grade B Student
Negative Previous Experiences‘A lot, didn't like it from the start and my opinion
hasn't changed’
‘Affected it greatly, already had a dislike to maths so consequently don't like anything to do with numbers now. (Higher tier)
‘Definitely knocked my confidence at school’ (Higher tier)
Maths at GCSE level was boring, causing a repulsive reaction to APD stats (Higher tier)
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEEngineering Students’ Confidence Maths/Stats/Life
BEng Students 6 3.3 3.0 3.7 -0.3 -0.7 0.3 4.0 3.0 4.0 83%
BSc Students 15 3.2 2.7 3.9 -0.7 -1.1 0.5 3.3 2.6 3.4 100%
HND Students 8 3.4 3.0 3.8 -0.4 -0.8 0.4 3.4 2.9 3.4 50%
Total Students 29 3.3 2.9 3.8 -0.5 -0.9 0.4 3.4 2.8 3.5 80%C
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HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEConclusions for Engineers’
Mathematics Modules• All Engineers on average have medium
confidence - Life > Maths > Stats
• Majority 80% would choose to study Engineering Mathematics
• More motivated than Non-Engineers• Common helpful attitudes - ‘Maths is
necessary’, ‘has to be done’, ‘get on and do it’
• Don’t necessarily like Mathematics
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGETopic vs. Apply Maths
Confidence• Different confidence ratings given for different
topics, as expected• Overall Topic (as learned in the module)
ratings slightly higher than Applying Maths (to work or research) confidence ratings
• Some students rated Applying maths to research or work > topic confidence, possibly due to thinking – They would have improved by then– They would ‘have to do it’ then,
where necessity overcomes reluctance
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEOther Findings
• Q. Since when have you felt this level of Confidence in Mathematics?
– Forever / always / a long time
– Since GCSE, 14-16
• Q. ‘When did you last enjoy something in Maths?
– Never, a long time ago, can’t remember (common)
– GCSE, Last week (rare response)
• Practical applications increase motivation / enjoyment
• Use of Computers / Excel was most helpful aspect of the Statistics Modules
• More positive aspects of modules given than negatives
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGEConclusions
• Many students lack confidence in their mathematical ability (<= GCSE Maths Grade B)
• Confidence in ability in Statistics is less than for Maths
• The 3 levels of confidence have been validated by the questionnaires
• Students comments on HAUC modules are mainly good
• Confidence level is generally decided well before university
• There is room for improvement!
