This thesis reports empirical and theoretical research into learning of mathematics and statistics at university level, with particular regard to students views of their self-confidence and experiences, and the effects of these on achievement. This study was conducted at a time of widespread national concern about difficulties in mathematics education in England, particularly at the transition from school to university Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses. Factors which affected non-specialist students learning of mathematics and statistics were investigated using student surveys in 2004/5, 2005/6 and 2006/7 (701 questionnaires) in the a-typical setting of a University College specialising in rural and land-based higher education. 52 student interviews were also carried out, primarily in 2008 and 2009, and are referred to but are not the main focus of this thesis. Both deductive and inductive approaches were used. Self-confidence was defined using three Mathematics Self-confidence Domains: Overall Confidence in Mathematics, Topic confidences for specific tasks, and Applications Confidence. Self-confidence was considered a belief, whilst liking of the subjects was an attitude, both forming part of affect , where affect comprised beliefs, attitudes and emotions. Student motivation was also investigated. The survey data, and examination and assignment marks, of engineering students learning mathematics and other non-specialist students learning statistics, were analysed both quantitatively (by descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, Correlation, Multiple Regression, Factor and Cluster analyses) and qualitatively. Previous success in mathematics, primarily GCSE Mathematics grade, was found to be the greatest determinant of university students success in mathematics and statistics, but self-confidence and other affective variables also had significantly measurable effects. Significant effects on student confidence were also found for gender and dyslexia despite good achievement. Findings indicate that students self-confidence in mathematics does matter, as evidenced by significant relationships between confidence and achievement, but it was also concluded that these inter-relations were complex. Educators are encouraged to adopt student-focussed teaching styles which improve students self-confidence as a means to improving attainment.

Thesis (M. S.)--Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006. / Dr. Monica Gaughan, Committee Member ; Dr. Donna Llewellyn, Committee Member ; Dr. Gordon Kingsley, Committee Chair. Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this correlational research study was to determine if students’ academic success was correlated with: (a) the student change in achievement during an engineering design challenge; and (b) student change in mental motivation toward solving problems and critical thinking during an engineering design challenge. Multiple experimental studies have shown engineering design challenges increase student achievement and attitude toward learning, but conflicting evidence surrounded the impact on higher and lower academically achieving students. A high school classroom was chosen in which elements of engineering design were purposefully taught. Eleventh-grade student participants represented a diverse set of academic backgrounds (measured by grade point average [GPA]). Participants were measured in terms of achievement and mental motivation at three time points. Longitudinal multilevel modeling techniques were employed to identify significant predictors in achievement growth and mental motivation growth during the school year. Student achievement was significantly correlated with science GPA, but not math or communication GPA. Changes in achievement score over time are not significantly correlated with science, math, or communication. Mental motivation was measured by five subscales. Mental focus was correlated with math and science GPA. Mental focus increases over time were negatively correlated with science GPA, which indicated that the initial score differential (between higher and lower science GPA students) was decreased over time. Learning orientation and cognitive integrity were not correlated with GPA. Creative problem solving was correlated with science GPA, but gains over time were not correlated with GPA. Scholarly rigor was correlated with science GPA, but change over time was not correlated with GPA. (284 pages)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:53:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FlaviaABP_DISSERT.pdf: 1345332 bytes, checksum: d533f1e298a64a1d12f47363e43a64b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-27 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Esta disserta??o tem como objetivo geral investigar e descrever as metodologias utilizadas pelas escolas de ensino m?dio que contribuem com a escolha do aluno pelo curso de Engenharia de Produ??o da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram identificadas as pr?ticas pedag?gicas das escolas que contribuem/auxiliam o aluno do ensino m?dio na escolha da carreira. O objeto de investiga??o foram as escolas de ensino m?dio que mais aprovam no curso de engenharia de Produ??o da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). A abordagem da pesquisa ? qualitativa e quanto aos objetivos a pesquisa ? considerada explorat?ria, pois as informa??es obtidas n?o podem ser quantific?veis e os dados obtidos s?o analisados indutivamente. O m?todo utilizado ? o estudo de caso, pois se trata de um estudo contempor?neo dentro do contexto da vida real. A pesquisa foi realizada com os coordenadores pedag?gicos do ensino m?dio das escolas selecionadas, nos meses de setembro, outubro, novembro e dezembro de 2012. Os dados foram coletados por meio de an?lise documental, entrevista semi-estruturada e a observa??o. Os resultados mostram que as escolas que mais aprovam no curso de Engenharia de Produ??o da UFRN s?o: Instituto Federal de Educa??o, Ci?ncias e Tecnologia-(IFRN); Col?gio Salesiano S?o Jos?; Centro de Educa??o Integrada-CEI (Mirassol); Col?gio Marista de Natal; Col?gio e Curso-(CAP). Os resultados, encontrados na pesquisa, mostram que os motivos que levam a escolha pelo curso de Engenharia de Produ??o conforme os ingressantes 2000-2012 est?o relacionados ? voca??o e ? oferta de mercado de trabalho. Foi poss?vel identificar que 80% dos alunos egressos no curso de Engenharia de Produ??o da UFRN, conclu?ram o ensino m?dio em escolas particulares no turno diurno. Espera-se desta forma contribuir com estudos e pesquisas na ?rea de educa??o em engenharia de produ??o relacionando a educa??o b?sica e a escolha da carreira a fim de reduzir as taxas de evas?o em uma das profiss?es mais importantes para o crescimento sustent?vel do pa?s

Der Vortrag beschreibt die gegenwärtige Situation der Nutzung des Computer-Algebra-System MathCAD an den beruflichen Schulen in Sachsen. Es werden die Möglichkeiten für den Techniklehrer an Berufsschulen erläutert, MathCAD als rechnende Textverarbeitung für Unterrichtsvorbereitung und -durchführung für den Unterricht in Lehrgebieten mit mathematischem Hintergrund zu nutzen. Die Vorteile von MathCAD für diesen Anwendungszweck werden herausgearbeitet und die Einsatzbereiche klassifiziert. Didaktische Hinweise zur Gestaltung dynamischer Unterrichtsvorbereitungen mittels MathCAD geben dem Lehrer Hilfestellung.