PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS ON THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MATHEMATICS ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

  • Type: Project
  • Department: Education
  • Project ID: EDU1040
  • Access Fee: ₦5,000 ($14)
  • Chapters: 5 Chapters
  • Pages: 50 Pages
  • Format: Microsoft Word
  • Views: 1.2K
  • Report This work

For more Info, call us on
+234 8130 686 500
or
+234 8093 423 853

CHAPTER ONE 
INTRODUCTION 
1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY 
Mathematics is one of the most important subjects in University admission criteria. Thus it is made compulsory for all students to offer at the JAMB examinations before they can be admitted into any higher institution of learning in Nigeria. This is because Nigeria as a nation solely depends upon mathematics as one of the most important subjects that could help the nation meet her objective for science and technological advancement (Jegede, 2002). It is a fact that students have a very low interest in mathematics. Students hate or dislike mathematics. Even at secondary schools level in Nigeria students do not attend mathematics lessons (Fatola, 2005). Those who attend the mathematics lessons do not pay attention to the teacher. Most of the students do not practice mathematics on their own neither do they solve mathematics problems on their own. According to Amazigo (2000), when the option is available, many students would prefer not to have anything to do with learning mathematics. This attitude has led them, among other things, to achieve poorly in mathematics examinations both internal and external. On the other hand, the recent paucity and anxiety of undergraduates in mathematics and mathematics education in Universities, Colleges of Education and Polytechnics suggests that mathematics is no longer popular among students particularly at the higher institution level. There is no doubt that the poor achievement in the subject enhances students’ hatred for the subject. This hatred is rooted in the fact that there is a general tendency for students to fear mathematics whenever it is mentioned (Amazigo, 2000). Anxiety refers to a feeling of distress or alarm caused by danger or pain that is about to happen (Tobias, 1993). In intensity it varies from a mild sense of apprehension to paralyzing terror. In anxiety there is always the desire to shrink, to get away or retreat from the exciting cause. 
The stimuli for anxiety are many and varied. In early infancy any sudden or intense stimuli like loud and sudden noise, unexpected jerk, and flash of bright light or loss of support may cause anxiety though there are large individual differences. Any sudden change in the environment, which the individual regards as threatening and for which he is unprepared, produces anxiety. When the threatening situation is removed or controlled, and the danger real or imaginary has passed, anxiety disappears. Also, as activities or experiences expand or interests and abilities grow, the number and kinds of anxiety increase. But as the power of adjustment through experience increases many of childish anxiety disappear. Some anxieties are as a result of conditioning effect. They will have to be reconditioned by attaching pleasant circumstances and experiences with situations and objects, which causes the anxiety. Praise or rewards attached to or associated with fearful tasks or situations will help to reduce anxiety. There are some anxiety where the best thing to do is to act as the anxiety suggests, that is, get away. This would be true in the case of a poisonous snake, and mad dog. However, with other anxieties we need to face it, we must have courage. Example of such is mathematics anxiety. The phenomenon of mathematics anxiety is variously referred to as Mathemaphobia or Mathematics pathological fear in mathematics (Stephen, 2007). Pathological mathematics anxiety therefore means a behaviour disorder in which an individual becomes progressively unable to resist the impulse to fear mathematics. It is an abnormal and persistent dread of mathematics; sufferers usually experience undue anxiety even though they may rationally realize that mathematics does not pose a threat commensurate with their anxiety (Amazigo, 2000). Stephen (2007), describes mathematics anxiety as an academic disease whose virus has not yet been diagnosed for an effective treatment in the class, though the symptoms of this anxiety are always expressed on the faces of the learners in mathematics classes. This disease (otherwise known as pathological fear), is communicable as it is usually distributed to sciences that are mathematics related.
1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 
It is widely known in Nigeria that larger number of students tends to choose non mathematics related courses while seeking admission to higher institutions. The number of students offering non mathematics related courses in higher institution is more than ten times the number offering mathematics related courses. This can be related to mathematics anxiety. Students perceives mathematics as a very difficult subject which is difficult to understand, hence they spent little time, interest and concentration on it. However, the researcher is examining the perception of students on the causes and effects of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions. 
1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 
The following are the objectives of this study: 
1.  To examine the perception of students on the causes of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions. 
2.  To examine the perception of students on the effects of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions. 
3.  To identify the solution to the problem of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions. 
1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS 
1.  What is the perception of students on the causes of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions? 
2.  What is the perception of students on the effects of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions? 
3.  What is the solution to the problem of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions? 
1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 
The following are the significance of this study: 
1.  The outcome of this study will educate the students of higher institutions and the general public on the perception of students on the causes and effects of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions. 
2.  This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of the effect of personality trait on student’s academic performance, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area. 
1.7   SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY 
This study will cover the perception of students on the causes and effects of mathematics anxiety among students of tertiary institutions. 
LIMITATION OF STUDY 
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).  
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work. 

REFERENCES 
Amazigo, J.C.(2000).Mathematics Phobia Diagnosis and Prescription. National Mathematics Center First Annual Lecture, Abuja, July 
Fatola, B.M. (2005). Improving attendance and behaviour in secondary schools. Journal of Teacher Education.4(2).18-22 
Jegede, O.J. (2002). Science technology and mathematics educations in Nigeria: Whose and what standards? A key note address of the 4th Annual Conference of the  Nigeria Association for Science Education Research (NASER) held at University of Jos 25-29th November. 
Stephen, H.N. (2007). The mathematics teachers factor in achievement of goals of the Universal Basic Education (UBE). Journal of Mathematics Association of Nigeria 27(1), 72-78 
Tobias, A.O. (1993). Mathematics in Nigeria secondary schools; teaching perspective.  Nimo; Anachuna Educational Book Rex Charles & Park Limited.

PERCEPTION OF STUDENTS ON THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MATHEMATICS ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA
For more Info, call us on
+234 8130 686 500
or
+234 8093 423 853

Share This
  • Type: Project
  • Department: Education
  • Project ID: EDU1040
  • Access Fee: ₦5,000 ($14)
  • Chapters: 5 Chapters
  • Pages: 50 Pages
  • Format: Microsoft Word
  • Views: 1.2K
Payment Instruction
Bank payment for Nigerians, Make a payment of ₦ 5,000 to

Bank GTBANK
gtbank
Account Name Obiaks Business Venture
Account Number 0211074565

Bitcoin: Make a payment of 0.0005 to

Bitcoin(Btc)

btc wallet
Copy to clipboard Copy text

500
Leave a comment...

    Details

    Type Project
    Department Education
    Project ID EDU1040
    Fee ₦5,000 ($14)
    Chapters 5 Chapters
    No of Pages 50 Pages
    Format Microsoft Word

    Related Works

    CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1   Background to the Study Education transforms individuals into problem solvers who evince knowledge and are capable of utilizing the acquired knowledge to provide solutions to a wide range of problems. A good level of education confers on a student a corresponding high level of meta cognitive skills which in turn... Continue Reading
    CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1   Background to the Study Education transforms individuals into problem solvers who evince knowledge and are capable of utilizing the acquired knowledge to provide solutions to a wide range of problems. A good level of education confers on a student a corresponding high level of meta cognitive skills which in turn... Continue Reading
    Abstract This research paper explores the relationship between anxiety, student achievement, self-concept, and self-efficacy for students with and without disabilities. Anxiety can have negative effects on all students. Students with anxiety problems tend to show lower levels of academic achievement, self-efficacy, and self-concept. Anxiety... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT An analysis of the effects of Nollywood movies on students of tertiary institution in Nigeria used Institution of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu as a reference point. To do this I used survey research method to elicit the desired information from the sample produced. The researcher used 30,000 people as the population size of the... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT This study comparatively explores the learning environment in undergraduate programmes of private and public universities. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0, this study adopts the Independent T-test to analyze if significant differences exist in the perceptions of the learning environment held by students from... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT This study comparatively explores the learning environment in undergraduate programmes of private and public universities. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0, this study adopts the Independent T-test to analyze if significant differences exist in the perceptions of the learning environment held by students from... Continue Reading
    TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page                                                                      i Approval                                                                        ii Dedication... Continue Reading
    IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EKIADOLOR- BENIN  ABSTRACT             The purpose of this study is to find out the factors that influence the growth of cultism in tertiary institution and its effects on the academic... Continue Reading
    ABSTRACT This study focuses on the “Perception of premarital sex among students in higher education The challenges of sex before marriage have drawn concern; This is due to different social problems it generates. understanding is that, sex before marriage comes with its own dangers and if not treated properly can lead to more social problems. To... Continue Reading
    This study examined “effects of e-library on students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions: a case study of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria” It identifies the Concept of e-library and e-resources, availability of e-library, resources and services in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Students’ use of e-library in Ahmadu Bello... Continue Reading
    Call Us
    Get this work
    whatsappWhatsApp Us