TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-concept and anxiety in university students studying social science statistics within a co-operative learning structure
AU - Townsend, Michael A.R.
AU - Moore, Dennis W.
AU - Tuck, Bryan F.
AU - Wilton, Keri M.
PY - 1998/1/1
Y1 - 1998/1/1
N2 - Students enrolled in an educational psychology course, which included a laboratory component in social science statistics, were assessed for mathematics self-concept and mathematics anxiety at the beginning and end of the course. The laboratory teaching practices emphasised co-operative learning activities and full-class discussion in an attempt to provide a positive environment. Self-concept improved significantly over time, as did student confidence in dealing with statistical problems, but mathematics anxiety did not show a significant reduction. These attitudinal factors were mediated by prior experience in mathematics. It is important that such attitudinal factors be considered alongside curriculum issues when designing instruction in mathematics-related areas, particularly where strong negative attitudes are known to exist for some groups of students.
AB - Students enrolled in an educational psychology course, which included a laboratory component in social science statistics, were assessed for mathematics self-concept and mathematics anxiety at the beginning and end of the course. The laboratory teaching practices emphasised co-operative learning activities and full-class discussion in an attempt to provide a positive environment. Self-concept improved significantly over time, as did student confidence in dealing with statistical problems, but mathematics anxiety did not show a significant reduction. These attitudinal factors were mediated by prior experience in mathematics. It is important that such attitudinal factors be considered alongside curriculum issues when designing instruction in mathematics-related areas, particularly where strong negative attitudes are known to exist for some groups of students.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064300102&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0144341980180103
DO - 10.1080/0144341980180103
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064300102
SN - 0144-3410
VL - 18
SP - 41
EP - 54
JO - Educational Psychology
JF - Educational Psychology
IS - 1
ER -