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Overcoming affective barriers to mathematical learning in practice
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Johnston-Wilder, Sue and Marshall, Ellen (2017) Overcoming affective barriers to mathematical learning in practice. In: 2017 IMA CETL-MSOR , Birmingham, 10-12 Jul 2017 (Submitted)
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Official URL: https://ima.org.uk/2996/mathematics-education-beyo...
Abstract
Maths anxiety is an acquired fear of mathematical situations or subjects which stops the brain being able to process maths effectively or even at all. This situation-specific anxiety occurs as a result of one or many negative experiences with maths and is thought to affect a large proportion of people. Statistics anxiety, which is related to maths anxiety, has been shown to be a strong predictor of poor performance in research methods courses and can affect a student's ability to use statistical software and understand research articles.
Negative experiences condition the brain to view maths as a threat so students with maths anxiety will generally opt out of maths or statistics. Where this is not possible, avoiding studying until the last minute is a common occurrence, leading to poor performance, which reinforces belief that the student cannot do maths. For some, previous experiences are such that even the word ‘maths’ triggers fear which results in self-safeguarding by avoiding even maths support centres or maths anxiety seminars.
This paper discusses initial approaches which can be implemented within an individual support setting to start the process of overcoming affective barriers to mathematical learning. The process of addressing maths anxiety includes: increasing awareness of maths anxiety; developing approaches which enable learners to overcome triggers and setbacks (mathematical resilience); providing non-threatening, inclusive, positive teaching experiences with maths and statistics and, perhaps most importantly, developing agency within each learner that enables them to suitably self-safeguard.
Item Type: | Conference Item (Paper) | ||||
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Subjects: | L Education > LB Theory and practice of education Q Science > QA Mathematics |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Education Studies (2013- ) | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Psychological aspects, Statistics -- Study and teaching -- Psychological aspects | ||||
Official Date: | 30 March 2017 | ||||
Dates: |
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Status: | Not Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Submitted | ||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 19 June 2017 | ||||
Conference Paper Type: | Paper | ||||
Title of Event: | 2017 IMA CETL-MSOR | ||||
Type of Event: | Conference | ||||
Location of Event: | Birmingham | ||||
Date(s) of Event: | 10-12 Jul 2017 |
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