A discussion of mathematics anxiety and learned helplessness in mathematics focuses on student failure and avoidance in college mathematics learning. It explores possible causes and suggests classroom activities to foster students' interest and success. (MSE)

The crisis confronting calculus and mathematics education generally results from a number of failed assumptions implicit in the dominant lecture-homework-exam methodology used in teaching mathematics. Positive resolution of this crisis can be found in adopting a noncompetitive, collaborative approach to mathematics education. (Author)

In this document are a final report and guide from a project to produce a 30-minute training videotape that provided volunteer tutors and paid adult educators with concrete methods, techniques, and activities to help adult learners improve their numeracy skills. According to the final report, representatives of various adult education…

This publication focuses on the work of one bright but math avoidant student in a writing seminar in mathematics. The introductory portion of the document explains the philosophy, goals, and activities of the seminar. The course is intended to provide opportunities for students in the humanities to experience mathematics as a discipline at once…

This study explored the relationship between students' high school mathematics courses and grades; the affective variables--mathematics anxiety, effectance motivation, and attitude toward success; and performance in the first quarter developmental studies algebra course. The study reports significant differences between males and females on…

The contributions of acceptance of misconceptions about mathematics, mathematical self-concept, and arithmetic skills to mathematics anxiety and to statistics course performance were studied in 92 adult students aged 18 to 57 with a median age of 27, (16 males and 76 females). Results showed that acceptance of misconceptions and mathematical…

Discusses the differences between mathematical problem solving typically used in the classroom and problem solving that is a part of everyday situations out of school. Suggests some teaching methods to align classroom instruction with the real world. Seventeen references are listed. (YP)

Discusses ways to correct a gender-related mathematics myth. Describes three tasks acquainting students with female-mathematician role models, including interviews, displays, and biographical sketches. (20 references) (YP)

Discusses factors leading to mathematics anxiety, including personality factors, pressure from authority figures, time pressure, public failure, the right/wrong dichotomy, constructive criticism, and competition. Suggests a number of specific ways that parents and teachers can help reduce students' anxiety. (MKR)

Proposes offering college students an optional performance contract that requires full class participation and resubmission of incorrect test items to alleviate mathematics anxiety. A comparison of students opting or not opting for the contract indicated that contracted students outperformed their counterparts in the latter stages of the course.…

Presents and discusses three instruments to evaluate: (1) student self-assessment; (2) assessment of cooperative learning tasks; and (3) student assessment of their teacher's effectiveness. Examples of the instruments are provided. (MDH)

This kit is designed to develop the adult numeracy skills of literacy and mathematics trained teachers in Australia using a participatory workshop approach. The kit is divided into five chapters. Each chapter contains theoretical and background information, a sequence of structured activities in which participating teachers actively engage, and…

This curriculum guide, developed by an adult basic education program for disadvantaged women, provides methods for teaching mathematical concepts and operations including whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. The curriculum illustrates methods and activities that bridge the gap between numerals (the symbols of mathematical…

This Australian document is a guide to teaching mathematics as it relates to specific work situations. After a brief introduction, chapter 1 looks at problem solving, advises teachers to lower the reading level and thus raise the understandability of written math problems, and describes a four-step problem-solving process. Chapter 2 outlines a…

Examines teacher mathematics anxiety as it relates to changes in student mathematics anxiety and achievement, teaching practices, and teacher characteristics. The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale was used for 31 teachers. Teacher mathematics anxiety correlated positively with whole-class instruction time and negatively with the number of students'…