Mathematics Anxiety in Pre-Service Elementary Teachers
| dc.contributor.advisor | Boulet, Genevieve | |
| dc.contributor.author | Oszadszky, Ilona | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2011-09-19T19:11:14Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2011-09-19T19:11:14Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study explored the impact of mathematics methods courses, including practicum experiences, on the level of mathematics anxiety experienced by pre-service elementary teachers. Participants included 99 first and second year students completing a teacher education program at a university in Nova Scotia. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data. Mathematics anxiety was assessed using the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale-Short Version (MARS-S) at the beginning and conclusion of a 12-week mathematics methods course. A short questionnaire assessing the participants’ perceptions regarding the impact of the course and practicum on their level of comfort with mathematics was also administered. Analysis of data revealed that a large number of pre-service elementary teachers experience high levels of mathematics anxiety. Furthermore, participation in a mathematics methods course and practicum contributed to a statistically significant reduction in mathematics anxiety for pre-service teachers completing their first year of the teacher education program (p < .05). There was no significant change in the level of mathematics anxiety for the pre-service teachers in the second year of the program. Qualitative data indicated that the majority of pre-service teachers perceived the mathematics course and practicum as having a positive impact on their level of comfort with mathematics. The findings of this study have important implications for professors and administrators in teacher education. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10587/1104 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | Mathematics anxiety | en_US |
| dc.subject | Pre-service Teachers | en_US |
| dc.subject | Mathematics methods | en_US |
| dc.title | Mathematics Anxiety in Pre-Service Elementary Teachers | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |