Students' attitudes and their effects towards Learning and achievement in mathematics: a case Of puplic secondary schools in kiambu county, Kenya.
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Date
2014-08-13
Authors
Langat, Alphine C.
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Abstract
The persistent under-achievement in mathematics has warranted further research to determine what factors have not been considered nor given enough attention in the ongoing reform efforts. The attitude of students towards mathematics is a factor that is known to influence student's learning and achievement in the subject. The purpose of this study therefore is to determine the effect of student's attitude towards their learning and achievement in mathematics by first trying to establish their attitudes regarding the subject and also finding out the factors that bring about these attitudes. The study would provide understanding of some of the learners' behaviors as a result of their attitudes towards the subject and would go a long way in helping the learners to develop positive attitudes and into reinforcing them towards better learning and performance in the subject. This study will adopt a descriptive survey design due to the implicit nature of the study. The study would affect some six sampled public secondary schools in Kiambu county and the target population would consist of 120 form four students who are about to sit for their K.C.S.E examination and who are selected from six sampled public schools. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting the schools whereas random sampling was used to select the students from schools with the use of students' questionnaires as a method of data collection. The questionnaires are structured to capture some of the students' perceptions and beliefs regarding the subject which are grouped according to themes including the liking and the difficulty of the subject, the usefulness of the subject and their future expectations regarding the subject, learners' mathematical ability and achievement. These factors would be the main predictors of attitudes which are adapted from the modified Fennema- Sherman attitudes scales and the students are expected to respond to these attitude scales. The data analysis will be done by calculating simple frequencies and percentages and using these findings to make inferences and conclusions. Descriptive statistics will also be used on qualitative analysis of open or unstructured questionnaires where the student responses are not restricted.