The authors explored test-preparation and test-taking strategies that high school students used in algebra tests. From a pool of high school students (N = 156), 61 students participated in interviews, and of those interviewed, 26 represented those who were high achieving as well as highly interested in mathematics (n = 15) vs. those who were low…

This study was designed to examine the effects of math anxiety and perfectionism on math performance, under timed testing conditions, among mathematically gifted sixth graders. We found that participants had worse math performance during timed versus untimed testing, but this difference was statistically significant only when the timed condition…

Reviews recent research findings related to sex differences in math and science achievement. Specifically discusses results which point to an apparent decline of math anxiety. (ML)

Elementary school teachers (N=230) in Kentucky were surveyed to determine the relationship between math anxiety and sex, career inhibition, type and recency of training. Results indicated a significant relationship between math anxiety and career inhibition and type of training. No relationship was found with sex and recency of training.…

Discusses the importance of mathematical skills in the workplace and the relationship between math anxiety and course completion rates. Describes a study evaluating the effectiveness of integrating motivational techniques and assessment practices into a developmental math course at a Texas university. Finds that the techniques enhanced student…

Fifty education majors in two sections responded to an Attitudes toward Mathematics and Its Teaching (ATMAT) scale. Results with two psychometric models, classical true-score theory and the one-parameter Rasch model, supported the ATMAT's reliability, content and construct validity, and invariance over three time points. (SLD)

Described is a nonmajor mathematics course taught using computers and lab experiments. Included are the challenge, solution, description of the first class, problems, successes, the syllabus, student comments, and the conclusion. (KR)

Investigates test anxiety, mathematics anxiety, and teacher feedback among university students enrolled in remedial mathematics classes to explore student motivation within an instructional framework. Results indicate that text anxiety has a significant effect on remedial mathematics students' mathematics achievement, and that informative feedback…

Research suggests that computer anxiety and computer experience are related. Some relationship between age and gender and computer anxiety has been suggested but not sufficiently examined. Other relationships have been explored with little result, and little is known about mediating computer anxiety. A model of the development of computer anxiety…

The author's personal experiences in overcoming mathematics anxiety provide insights into how teachers can create a classroom environment to help students develop self-confidence by assessing students' feelings, using cooperative-learning techniques, showing more patience, and having students write about their experiences. (MDH)

The very mixed results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study are difficult for most U.S. students and teachers to believe. Educators must change their beliefs about how children learn mathematics and how these subjects should be taught. Agreement about what constitutes effective teaching is needed. (Contains 24 references.) (MLH)

Describes a mathematics course for 15- or 16-year-olds who lack confidence in themselves and their ability to succeed. The article presents a "picture" of how a small group of teachers have tried to apply some of the "new" methodologies and assessment techniques in the classroom. (PK)

Investigated the association of field-dependent/independent cognitive style with mathematics anxiety, using mathematics scores of 481 secondary students. Indicated that field-dependent learners experienced more mathematics anxiety than did field-independent learners. Found significant interactions between sex and cognitive style and between…

Reports on a study that was designed to investigate possible effects of inservice instruction (BASIC and LOGO/PILOT) on teachers' mathematical anxiety. Results indicated that teachers enrolled in BASIC programing courses manifested more mathematics anxiety after the course than those who were enrolled in a LOGO/PILOT course. (ML)

Used path analysis to examine effects of spatial skill, math anxiety, and math self-confidence as mediators of gender differences in Mathematics Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M) in upper third of college-bound adolescents. Found that mental rotation and math self-confidence indirectly mediated the gender-SAT-M relationship. Most of the mediational…