Project Contribution
Students have this belief that math subjects are difficult. For this reason, a number of them do not like the subject or are just not interested of the idea of learning mathematics and utilising mathematical thinking to answer the problems and questions given to them by their teachers. The utilisation of mathematical thinking among students must be taught as early as in primary school in order to develop a belief that math is not a difficult subject.
Mathematical thinking, according to (2002) the true meaning of mathematical thinking is based upon the research practices and emerges from a process of arrangement of the elements wherein the participants are placed differently in the process in order to develop situated knowledge and the response if the crisis emerged within the system. Belief that mathematics is a hard subject is very strong among students regardless of the level. According to , , and (2003) due to the fact that beliefs of students play a huge role in the way they perceive math in class, educators must find ways to assess the students’ beliefs and change it. Communication is an important tool in addressing the problems or issues with students having a difficult time utilising his or her mathematical thinking skills. However, communication can also be a barrier, especially if the students and the teacher do not speak the same language. In the study of (2003) the author investigated students learning English as a second language in primary school mathematics. The study revealed that the students that uses English as their second language have three patterns of attention and these are: attention to their narrative experience, attention to word problems and the mathematical structure of the problems and in order to help these type of students cope up with the difficulty of learning a second language and mathematical skills, educators must support and help them so that the students will be able to understand and cultivate their mathematical, as well as, English skills. Aside from developing and enhancing the skills of the students in mathematics, another goal of the educators is to improve the attainment of students in mathematical examinations, particularly those learners that have the lowest scores in examinations. In the study of , and (2003) they pointed out that in order to help the students attain high scores in mathematics, some teachers introduced new strategies to address the needs of the students to excel in mathematics. Some teachers worked with target groups, other focus on enhancing their existing practice.
As mentioned earlier, the teachers play an important role in educating, enhancing and changing the mindset of students regarding mathematics. According to and (2002) the knowledge of teachers regarding mathematics differs from that of a research mathematician. Therefore, their views regarding teaching student mathematical skills may be different. According to , , and (2002) the views and ideas of mathematicians is toward compression, on the other hand, teachers ideas focuses more on decompressing the mathematical ideas, as well as, the responses of the students to the ideas of the teachers.
Teachers are the individuals that encounter students that do not appreciate mathematics; therefore they have the power to change the view and belief of the students and influence them to utilise mathematical thinking in their daily activities. Teachers must communicate with their students and develop strategies that would fit the level of knowledge and skills of a particular student.
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Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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