‘PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

BY SPECIAL PROGRAM IN THE

ARTS STUDENTS IN

MATHEMATICS’

A THESIS PRESENTATION FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF THE SUBJECT

“RESEARCH” WITH EMPHASIS IN EDUCATION AND STUDENTS

CREATIVE WRITING GROUP 2

PREPARED BY:

ROSHWELLE ANGELEENE S. BATCHICHA

PAMELA ANNE N. QUIOC

ROELLA TRYSHA G. HINAYON

ICKO PRINCE S. BALA

ELIZHA MARIE G. SIQUETE

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 INTRODUCTION

It is commonly accepted that math is difficult, confusing or complicated and

of little interest to certain people. Mathematics has importance over and above the

application of basic numeracy skills. It is also the prime vehicle for developing student's

logical thinking and higher-order cognitive skills. Mathematics also plays a major role in

a number of other scientific fields, such as physics, engineering and statistics. In this

connection, a positive attitude towards mathematics among students is an important goal

of mathematics education in many jurisdictions.

Generally, it is an alarming observation among Filipino students that they

excel in knowledge acquisition but fare considerably low in lessons requiring higher order

thinking skills. This sorry state is evident in the performance of students in national and

international surveys on Mathematics and Science competencies.

Separate studies on the mathematics performance of preservice teachers

(Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1988, p. 14 in Ayap,2007) and mathematics teachers on the

1993 and 1994 Professional Board Examination for Teachers (Ibe, 1995 in

Aguinaldo,2008) reveal the same dismal picture of mathematics competencies of those

who intend to teach it as well as those who have been teaching at the elementary and

secondary levels.

Apart from being a specific subject, mathematics should be treated as a concomitant

to any subject involving analysis and Meaning”1 . Cocke said “Mathematics is a way to

settle in the minds of children a habit of reasoning”2 .Mathematics as a subject has lot of

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practical utility in the future especially for the students who are in the Higher Secondary

Level. Young justified by saying “wherever we turn in these days of iron, stream and

electricity, we find that Mathematics have been the pioneers”3 . It has become the basis of

the world’s entire business and commercial system. The primary aim of Teaching

Mathematics is to enable the students to develop understanding and skills related to

Mathematical concept4 . According to the findings of Kothari Commission, “Mathematics

should be taught on compulsory basis to all pupils as a part of general Education during

the first ten years of schooling.”5 The use of Mathematics in our daily life is immense.

Higher secondary students in general are at the threshold of deciding their future course of

studies. To achieve their goal mathematics plays a vital role.

In the same vein, mathematic problem is the result of the student's negative attitude

or embarrassing experience with their mathematics teachers in previous years. Such an

experience can leave a student believing him or her deficient in mathematics ability. This

belief results in poor performance, which serves as confirming evidence to the student.

This phenomenon is known as the "self-fulfilling prophecy". Mathematic problems results

in poor performance rather than the reverse. It occurs at different ages in different people

for different reasons. The purpose of this study is to investigate students' feelings and

experiences towards the subject of mathematics where the aim is to gain a deeper

understanding about negative feelings, such as mathematical anxiety.

Statement of the Problem

This study seeks to answer the following:

1. How may the secondary students be described as to:

1.1 Age,

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 1.2 Sex, and

1.3 School

2. Most common problems encountered by the students in relation to:

2.1 Teachers,

2.2 School, and

2.3 Schoolmates,

3. Causes of mathematics in relation to:

3.1 Teachers,

3.2 School, and

3.3 Schoolmates

Objectives of Research

This study has the following objectives:

1. To identify the most common problem of students in Mathematics in relation of:

1.1 School,

1.2 Schoolmates, and

1.3 Personal

2. To know the reasons of Math anxiety in relation of:

2.1 Teachers,

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2.2 Schoolmates, and

2.3 Personal

3. To solve the cases of Math anxiety

Significance of Study

This study is significant to the Spa students, and teachers.

The SPA students would be benefited from this study to know the causes of Math anxiety

and how to prevent it.

The teachers would gain insights from the result of this study. They will have knowledge

about Math Anxiety.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study will focus about the knowledge of SPA students about the problems

encountered by them in Mathematics.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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