15th September 2005

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Self-Confidence In Mathematics
Helping Everyone Learn Mathematics Conference

• 15th September 2005
• Sarah Parsons
• sjparsons_at_harper-adams.ac.uk

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Is there an attitude towards mathematics
problem?
Why was it ever invented?
I cant do maths
I dont like maths
Its cool to be poor at mathematics and weve
got to change that Smith, R., 2003,
Professional Engineering
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Lack of Skills and Lack of Confidence
The mathematics problem is usually described as
a skills problem, but this has two aspects the
knowledge of mathematical techniques/facts, and
the confidence to make use of them To develop
students mathematical confidence is a slow
process, which cannot be achieved through quick
remediation, unlike the problem of filling in
some gaps in mathematical knowledge. Kent, P. and
Noss, R., 2003 Mathematics in the University
Education of Engineers
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Defining Measuring Attitudes to Learning Maths

• What attitudes do students have?
• What effect do these attitudes have?
• How many students does this affect?
• What type of students does this affect?
• Where/when/why did these attitudes arise?
• Tip of the iceberg most effects unseen
• What can be done about it?

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What do we mean by Self-Confidence in Maths?

• 3 Levels are proposed
• Overall confidence
• I can do Maths vs. I cant do Maths
• Overall belief in ones maths ability
• Can obstruct learning
• Task level confidence
• Varies according to task and experience
• Apply Maths confidence
• Apply maths in new/practical situations

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Questionnaires May 2005

• Approx. 250 questionnaires
• 1st 2nd year, Degree HND students
• All undergraduate engineering mathematics
  statistics modules
• Engineering, Business, Surveying, Agriculture,
  Animal Health students
• Administered in final lectures by lecturers
• Positive bias of samples

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Harper Adams Background

• Small, friendly, specialist HE college
• Aspire CETL - Advancing Skills for Professionals
  in the Rural Economy
• 1700 FTE students (approx.)
• All students are taught some Maths/Stats
• Mathematics Support since 2001
• Agriculture subject has 2nd highest levels of
  dyslexia nationally (HESA)

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(No Transcript)
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Well-designed Modules

• Modules recognised internally for excellence
• Good student achievement progression
• Handouts provided
• Designed for diverse students - basics revised
• Student exercises by hand and computer
• Mathematics Support provided
• Q. Which aspects of the module hindered your
  learning?
• Most common response is None

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Non-Engineering Students Confidence
Maths/Stats/Life
Maths cp.Stats
Maths cp.Life
Stats cp. Life
Conf Maths
Like Maths
Conf Stats
Motivation
Conf Life
Like Stats
Choose ?
Number
Mean Rating 1-5
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Conclusions for Non-Engineers Statistics Modules

• A2, AS and GCSE Grade A students are confident in
  maths and stats
• Confidence in Maths gt Stats gt Life
• GCSE Grade B and below are generally
• not confident
• Confidence in Stats lt Maths lt Life
• Only maths A2 students would choose to study the
  stats module (some of whom were bored)
• 70 students are reluctant to study statistics

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GCSE Grade B students

• Surprise that Grade B are not confident
• A quarter rate Confidence 1 or 2
• 54 rate Maths below Life confidence
• Grade B student comment examples

Bad experiences with maths previously have made
me have little confidence in my maths ability
now. So don't try very hard as believe will get
it wrong anyway. (Intermediate tier)
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GCSE Grade B Student Negative Previous Experiences

• A lot, didn't like it from the start and my
  opinion hasn't changed
• Affected it greatly, already had a dislike to
  maths so consequently don't like anything to do
  with numbers now. (Higher tier)
• Definitely knocked my confidence at school
  (Higher tier)
• Maths at GCSE level was boring, causing a
  repulsive reaction to APD stats (Higher tier)

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Engineering Students Confidence Maths/Stats/Life
Maths cp.Stats
Maths cp.Life
Stats cp. Life
Conf Maths
Like Maths
Conf Stats
Motivation
Conf Life
Like Stats
Choose ?
Number
Mean rating 1-5
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Conclusions for Engineers Mathematics Modules

• All Engineers on average have medium confidence -
  Life gt Maths gt Stats
• Majority 80 would choose to study Engineering
  Mathematics
• More motivated than Non-Engineers
• Common helpful attitudes - Maths is necessary,
  has to be done, get on and do it
• Dont necessarily like Mathematics

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Topic vs. Apply Maths Confidence

• Different confidence ratings given for different
  topics, as expected
• Overall Topic (as learned in the module) ratings
  slightly higher than Applying Maths (to work or
  research) confidence ratings
• Some students rated Applying maths to research or
  work gt topic confidence,
• possibly due to thinking
• They would have improved by then
• They would have to do it then,
• where necessity overcomes reluctance

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Other Findings

• Q. Since when have you felt this level of
  Confidence in Mathematics?
• Forever / always / a long time
• Since GCSE, 14-16
• Q. When did you last enjoy something in Maths?
• Never, a long time ago, cant remember (common)
• GCSE, Last week (rare response)
• Practical applications increase motivation /
  enjoyment
• Use of Computers / Excel was most helpful aspect
  of the Statistics Modules
• More positive aspects of modules given than
  negatives

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Conclusions

• Many students lack confidence in their
  mathematical ability (lt GCSE Maths Grade B)
• Confidence in ability in Statistics is less than
  for Maths
• The 3 levels of confidence have been validated by
  the questionnaires
• Students comments on HAUC modules are mainly good
• Confidence level is generally decided well before
  university
• There is room for improvement!