Linking university mathematics classroom environments to student achievement: The mediation of mathematics beliefs. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yin, Hongbiao; Shi, Lian; Tam, Winnie Wing Yi; Lu, Genshu
• Is Part Of: Studies in educational evaluation. Volume 66(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Classroom environment -- Conceptions of mathematics -- Efficacy in mathematics -- Mathematics achievement -- Undergraduate students; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Tests et mesures en éducation -- Périodiques; 375.006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2020.100905
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-491X

Abstract

Highlights: Classroom environments predicted both affective and cognitive mathematics outcomes. A desirable classroom environment fostered cohesive conceptions and efficacy. Difficulty of learning mathematics led to fragmented conceptions and impeded efficacy. Efficacy and conceptions of mathematics had significant mediation effects on achievement. Abstract: This study examined the relationships between university mathematics classroom environments, mathematics beliefs, and achievement in the context of mainland China. As a type of affect in mathematics learning, mathematics beliefs including mathematics conceptions and efficacy were examined as mediators. Based on analysis of a sample of 1443 undergraduate students from a university in northern China, the study not only found that the mathematics classroom environment was associated with both affective and cognitive mathematics outcomes, but also confirmed the mediating role of mathematics beliefs. Specifically, a desirable classroom environment was related to students' cohesive conceptions, enhanced self-efficacy, and higher mathematics achievement. In contrast, students' perceived difficulty of learning mathematics was connected to their fragmented conceptions, reduced self-efficacy and lower mathematics achievement. Implications of the study are discussed.