Teachers And Too Much Homework Contribute To Maths Anxiety – Study

Maths anxiety is a widespread and global phenomenon that affects people’s ability to achieve in mathematics. It is characterized by negative emotional reactions to mathematical problems, which can range from mild unease to intense fear. The anxiety is not limited to children alone, as many adults also experience it in everyday situations involving numbers. Those with maths anxiety may avoid applying for promotions or pursuing careers in related subjects such as science, technology, or engineering.

A study on maths anxiety analyzed data from over one million students who participated in three large international studies of achievement. It found that students in countries with higher levels of maths anxiety tend to achieve lower maths grades. Additionally, the strongest predictor of maths anxiety was how competent students perceived their maths teacher to be. Those with less confidence in their teacher tended to feel more anxious. Being set large amounts of maths homework and parental involvement in homework also contributed to anxiety to a lesser degree.

The study also found that in about half of countries, a child’s maths achievement was predicted not only by their own level of maths anxiety but also that of their peers. One factor appeared to be the cultural acceptance of uncertain situations. In countries that are less accepting of uncertainty, the peer group effect was lower.

The study’s findings suggest that teachers, parents, and policymakers need to be mindful of a child’s individual ability and emotional state, as well as the context in which they’re studying. To combat maths anxiety, individuals may try to disentangle their feelings of anxiety from their ability and recognize that it may not be a justified anxiety. Changing the mathematics curriculum, teaching style, and examination system could also cause less stress for students, teachers, and parents. Overall, tackling maths anxiety could lead to improved maths attainment, making it an essential issue to address.

Dyscalculia and maths anxiety are distinct conditions, although they may intersect in some cases. Dyscalculia is a chronic cognitive challenge that obstructs the comprehension of numbers, whereas maths anxiety is a feeling of unease or tension that surrounds mathematical tasks.

An individual’s maths anxiety does not necessarily correlate with their mathematical competence. A study conducted in 2018 revealed that 77% of pupils who experienced high levels of maths anxiety performed satisfactorily or exceptionally on official maths evaluations. However, it may reduce performance in some conditions and settings. This might be due to the fact that overwhelming concerns and unwelcome thoughts associated with maths anxiety interfere with or compete with mental capabilities required for solving mathematical difficulties.