The high levels of anxiety, apprehension, and apathy of students in college algebra courses caused the instructor to create and test a variety of math teaching techniques designed to boost student confidence and enthusiasm in the subject. Overall, this proposal covers several different techniques, which have been evaluated by both students and the…

This paper is based on research work carried out in the Foundation Course in Mathematics at Goldsmiths College, University of London. The theme of the investigation was to investigate the hidden faces of cubes placed on a table. In order to do this, the following investigational teaching styles and learning strategies were adopted: investigate…

This study was performed using a convenience sample of 90 students at a northeastern community college to determine gender differences of math anxiety and its effect on math avoidance. Four sections of an introductory English class were given a mathematics anxiety rating scale (MARS) and a math avoidance survey. Five hypotheses were analyzed using…

Techniques that can be used to help change the mathematical attitudes of prospective teachers are described. Work in small groups, using diverse approaches, and developing meaning are among the points included. (MNS)

A shortened version of the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) was developed. It yielded a coefficient alpha reliability estimated at .98, correlated .97 with the original MARS, and showed relationships with state, trait, and test anxiety parallel to the original MARS. It should be useful for mathematical course-related applications.…

This study reviews relevant literature to clarify the meaning of mathematics anxiety; reports on the field test of an instrument designed to measure anxiety; and analyzes change scores of students enrolled in a preservice elementary mathematics methods course to see if reductions in anxiety were observed. (MP)

This study was designed to identify those females who are predicted to fall substantially below their male counterparts in mathematical participation and performance (female potential underachievers) and who are most in need of intervention procedures early in their college career. (Author/CE)

Anxiety is viewed as a learned response from a negative experience, and teachers are encouraged to work with students in a sensitive, understanding, and encouraging manner. (MP)

A widely adopted National Diffusion Network program, Diagnostic Prescriptive Arithmetic, teaches elementary arithmetic skills through games and other concept-building activities. Practical math applications and problem-solving techniques are emphasized. (SK)

Discusses a study conducted to determine: (1) the initial attitudes toward mathematics held by students enrolled in first-level required courses; (2) the relationship of those attitudes to variables such as age, sex, and institutional type; and (3) the effect of the attitudes on student learning. (JP)

Although mathematics avoidance and mathematics anxiety are not unknown among men and boys, stressful experiences with mathematics are particularly pronounced in girls and women. Many educating and governing institutions will have to work together if efforts to alleviate mathematics anxiety are to pay off. (CJ)

This study's purposes were to test causal attribution theory in the masculine typed, content-specific task domain of mathematics and examine the effects of level of mathematics achievement, sex, and the interaction level of achievement and sex on attribution patterns. (MP)

Presents an attempt to develop an instrument to monitor attitudinal changes towards mathematics among (n=345) preservice student teachers. (54 references) (MKR)

Analysis of covariance of pre- and posttest scores on mathematics anxiety and arithmetic achievement tests of (n=123) college students taught arithmetic using two different instructional approaches (rule oriented versus concept oriented) found a significant difference between the posttest anxiety scores of the two groups. (22 references)…

Surveys of Access Course students and providers at British universities as well as those who inquired about them yielded 1,471 responses. Providers considered math an important qualification, but sizable numbers of students and inquirers saw math as a major barrier to their participation. (SK)