Early Adolescents' Views on Engagement and Achievement in Mathematical Learning. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nicholas, Karen; Fletcher, Jo
• Is Part Of: Journal of research in childhood education. Volume 31:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Adolescents -- case studies -- elementary education -- mathematics education; Education -- Research -- Periodicals; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Learning -- Periodicals; Research Design -- Periodicals; Child; Infant; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1080/02568543.2016.1243598
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0256-8543

Abstract

ABSTRACT: By giving early adolescents in their last 2 years of primary/elementary schooling opportunities to voice their ideas, teacher educators, school leaders, and teachers gain insight into how children view their mathematics learning. This article explores the views and aspirations of 34 11- to 13-year-old students from a range of socioeconomic schools within New Zealand. They represent students from a variety of cultural ethnicities and achievement levels in mathematics. The study found that children who were new immigrants who were situated within low and middle socioeconomic schools were grouped together in the bottom band of achievement in mathematics. Also, the students identified by their teachers as average and below average in mathematics preferred to continue practicing their basic number facts, play computer games, and complete worksheets. Of concern is the finding that most of the students did not like discussing deeper mathematical conceptual understandings. Many, despite having positive attitudes toward mathematics, were anxious about the transition to secondary schooling, where they perceived mathematical learning would be more complex and "harder."