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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

I Can't Do Math! Reflections on Mathematics Anxiety in Secondary Schools

Ditrick, Leslie K
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1523823170836094

Abstract Details

2018, BS, Kent State University, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies.
The phrase, "I can't do math" is a common one heard by math teachers all over the country. It was this phrase that inspired me to investigate mathematics anxiety. So many times I have helped students in math class who become anxious and believe they are unable to do a math problem. It is this anxiety that causes them to give up on problems without even trying. This is becoming an issue in this country due to a higher emphasis being placed on standardized tests and grade point averages. The high likelihood of a student exhibiting symptoms of anxiety towards mathematics leads to fewer students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) careers in higher education. This topic was investigated through interviews that were designed with a qualitative approach. A total of 19 students who attended suburban Midwestern high schools were asked four main questions to gain an understanding of the mathematics anxiety they exhibit as well as potential causes and strategies for alleviation. It was concluded that students experience the most anxiety in math class when taking tests or quizzes and are most comfortable asking teachers for help as long as the student perceived the teacher as being comfortable in their own subject. Finally, it was concluded that the strategies that students found most helpful were general stress-relief strategies such as deep breathing or taking a break. These results are limited to the population studied but open the door for future research.
Anne Morrison, Ph.D (Advisor)
Joanne Caniglia, Ph.D (Committee Member)
Robert Cimera, Ph.D (Committee Member)
Suzy D'Enbeau, Ph.D (Committee Member)
74 p.
Education; Educational Psychology; Mathematics Education; Secondary Education
Mathematics; Math anxiety; secondary schools; high school; students

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ditrick, L. K. (2018). I Can't Do Math! Reflections on Mathematics Anxiety in Secondary Schools [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1523823170836094

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ditrick, Leslie. I Can't Do Math! Reflections on Mathematics Anxiety in Secondary Schools. 2018. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1523823170836094.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ditrick, Leslie. "I Can't Do Math! Reflections on Mathematics Anxiety in Secondary Schools." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1523823170836094

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ksuhonors1523823170836094
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.