Maths anxiety among students: causes and remedies

Education

Malappuram, Kerala ABSTRACT Mathematics is one of the most important subjects in our school curriculum. A thorough knowledge in mathematics is often necessary to learn other science subjects.Bacon had once emphasised the importance of mathematics stating that mathematics is the gateway and key to all sciences. However, maths anxiety is a major issue faced by a majority of the students in Indian schools. Mathematics anxiety is a feeling of tension, apprehension, or fear that interferes with the performance of students while learning mathematics. This has been the subject of various studies among psychologists and mathematics subject experts. This paper is a deep look in to this issue. Keywords: mathematics anxiety,academic achievement, mathematicsinterest, education, school students OBJECTIVES This paper attempts to highlight mathematics anxiety, a major issue faced by Indian students. It aims to pin point the symptoms and causes of mathematics anxiety. Also, this paper also intends to direct the teachers and students towards the solutions to curb this anxiety, so that it helps in the improvement of their academic as well asoverall performance. METHODOLOGY In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, this paper analyses the various instructional methods suggested in the teacher education curricula and adopted in the Indian schools. It also takes into account the various studies on mathematics anxiety in the field of psychology. The findings and conclusions drawn in this paper are also based on interviews with the subject-experts. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION Mathematics anxiety among school students has various causes. One of the most important causes is the lack of proper guidance for the students, parents and the teachers. The teaching methods adopted in schools are not favorable in reducing the anxiety. This has eventually lead to a negative attitude and disinterest towards the subject, making the students demotivated. This paper also suggests a few changes in the teaching methods so that the teachers and students find mathematics equally interesting. A shift to the constructive method of teaching, using real-life examples and activities would help in understanding mathematics at an application level. Also, abstract concepts can be taught using inductive cum deductive method. The use of modern technologies is appreciated. The paper concludes that a change is required in the teaching methods. And this change must come from the teachers first, and then spread to the students of mathematics. SIGNIFICANCE Mathematics is one of the core subjects in school education and it has great importance in higher education. It is very useful in daily life and it has vocational value. Mathematics anxiety has been a problem of decades. This study would help to create awareness among teachers as well as students about the problem of anxiety. Understanding a problem is necessary to solve the issue. Hence, this paper would enlighten us on the causes of mathematical anxiety among students. The remedies suggested in the paper would, hopefully, help to bring about a change in the attitudeof studenttowards mathematics, thereby improving their academic performances

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