In this paper we will concentrate on pupils' self-confidence in mathematics, which belongs to pupils' mathematical beliefs in themselves, and beliefs on achievement in mathematics. Research described consists of a survey of more than 3000 fifth-graders and seventh-graders. Furthermore, 40 pupils participated in a qualitative follow-up study…

Designed as a reference for teaching mathematics in the workplace, this manual presents teaching strategies and activities for beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners in four mathematics-related topics. Following an overview of the manual's purpose, definitions are provided of the three skill levels targeted by the activities. Strategies…

Five steps designed to take anxiety out of statistics for social work students are outlined. First, statistics anxiety is identified as an educational problem. Second, instructional objectives and procedures to achieve them are presented and methods and tools for evaluating the course are explored. Strategies for, and obstacles to, making…

The attitudes about mathematics held by girls and boys participating in a regional mathematics contest, their parents, teachers, and mathematics coaches were investigated. Quantitative data regarding mathematics as a male domain, perception of importance of mathematics, confidence in learning mathematics, effectance motivation, and usefulness of…

In this paper, emphasis is placed on examining the issue of sex differences from a historical perspective, within a framework focused on socialization factors, and within a more psychological framework that examines how society's beliefs and expectations are reflected in personal beliefs that may affect functioning. Biographical details about…

This document provides details about the Teacher Education and Mathematics (TEAM) Project, which developed a model program and instructional materials that can be used to increase confidence and skills of students in undergraduate teacher education courses. TEAM materials and curriculum were specifically designed to: (1) reduce mathematics anxiety…

Four hundred forty six female university students who had completed at least five courses were tested for self-schemas in math/science ability. One hundred eighty-four of the women had taken or were taking more than the required one basic math or science course. It was found that 35.0% of the women in the sample could be classified as having a…

This Teacher Education and Mathematics (TEAM) module is designed to establish an atmosphere in the classroom in which students will feel free to share their thoughts, reactions, and experiences related to mathematics and mathematics teachers. It consists of an instructor's text and student materials. The instructor's text provides (1) specific…

This handbook provides information on the purpose, organization, and use of Teacher Education and Mathematics (TEAM) modules within the context of a teacher education course for elementary education students or as supplementary materials to such a course. The four mathematics and four attitudinal modules are designed to produce four outcomes for…

The participation in certain classroom processes by students of high and low mathematics confidence who scored above the mean in mathematics achievement was studied over 2 years. The processes selected were: (1) specified types of teacher-pupil interactions, and (2) student engaged time in high or low cognitive level mathematical activities,…

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)

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…

A plenary address to an Australian conference on adult literacy focuses on cultural barriers to numeracy. Mathematics, and therefore numeracy, is considered as part of cultural knowledge. It is noted that over the last decade there has been a growing awareness of the cultural basis of mathematical knowledge and teachers can no longer assume that…

This eight part guide was developed to assist individuals in improving mathematics education in Georgia schools, particularly in planning curriculum at the local level. The guide was prepared on the basis of successful teaching practices and recommendations from recognized educators. Information regarding considerations unique to teaching the…

As the technological revolution continues, there is an increased emphasis on mathematics and science. Many people feel that there are significant gender differences in both attitudes toward, and achievement in, these subjects. This study examined some of the attitudes toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics as measured by the 1977-78 and…