scholarly journals Shortcomings of the ‘approaches to learning’ framework in the context of undergraduate mathematics

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Ellie Darlington

Students’ approaches to learning are heavily researched in higher education, and are of particular concern in the field of mathematics where many students have been found to struggle with the transition to university mathematics. This article outlines a mixed methods study which sought to describe undergraduate mathematicians’ approaches to learning using the deep-surface-strategic ‘trichotomy’ using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students with 414 mathematics students and semi-structured interviews with a subset of 13 at a leading British university. Analysis found that neither the ‘approaches to learning’ framework nor the inventory can effectively describe students’ study practices, and conceal important elements of how students learn advanced mathematics for examinations. Therefore, it is important that educators do not try to oversimplify students’ methods using quantitative questionnaires but do seek to support those who would otherwise rely solely on memorisation as a means of passing high-stakes examinations.

Author(s):  
Aroutis Foster ◽  
Mamta Shah

This paper reports a mixed-methods study supporting twenty 9th grade students' mathematics knowledge, motivation, and identity change through projective reflection using Game Network Analysis (GaNA). GaNA is an ecological game-based learning framework that was conceptualized for facilitating teachers in selecting and using games. Projective reflection is an identity change process catalyzed by digital game play and facilitated by reflection and discussion activities focused within a domain. From September-December 2010, a game, Dimension M was used to facilitate students' in gameplay to construct mathematics knowledge, motivation to learn, and identity change. Data sources included interviews, in-class participant and video observations, and pre-post assessments. Students had statistically significant gains in mathematics. Students engaged in identity exploration activities that allowed them to value mathematics. The implications of projective reflection and GaNA are discussed. Further studies are needed for scaling and replicating the use of projective reflection.


1999 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-816
Author(s):  
Andile Mji ◽  
Michael J. Glencross

The purpose was to analyze first-year university mathematics students' responses to a questionnaire which asked 93 students to report on their approaches to learning and attitudes toward mathematics. A majority of the students studying analytical geometry, calculus, and trigonometry had positive attitudes toward mathematics and preferred learning the subject by doing lots of examples to reproduce them, a learning strategy known as the ‘surface approach’.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-58
Author(s):  
Palitha Edirisingha ◽  
Robert Cane ◽  
Mengjie Jiang ◽  
Chris Cane

Studies of undergraduates’ satisfaction, academic performance and retention in Higher Education (HE) identify the critical importance of the first year for shaping their attitudes and approaches to learning. Positive transition into HE has a direct impact on students’ later learning experience, particularly during their first year. Most interventions to support transitions are based on institution-driven approaches such as courses on learning and study skills. Here we describe how podcasting can be used to developing a new approach to support transition by tapping the knowledge and experience of current undergraduates. 


2021 ◽  
pp. 102831532199074
Author(s):  
Art Tsang ◽  
Rui Yuan

Internationalization in higher education and the promotion of intercultural interaction are becoming increasingly prevalent globally. Conducted in Hong Kong, this mixed-methods study investigated one facet of these initiatives, namely intercultural activities on campus. Both home ( n = 305) and international ( n = 127) students’ awareness of, attitudes toward, and participation in these activities were examined. The results showed that these three variables were significantly inter-correlated, and awareness and attitude together explained 36% of the variance in participation. While both groups had similar levels of awareness and participation, the international students were slightly more positive toward these activities than the home students were. Lack of time, absence of company, and uninteresting activities were found to be the top three reasons for low/no participation. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, who elaborated on awareness-raising promotion platforms for these activities, motivators, and demotivators for participation, and the general differences between home and international students. The article ends with a discussion on these findings.


2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-58
Author(s):  
Aina Strode

Students' Independent Professional Activity in Pedagogical PracticeThe topicality of the research is determined by the need for changes in higher education concerned with implementing the principles of sustainable education. The article focuses on teacher training, highlighting the teacher's profession as an attractive choice of one's career that permits to ensure the development of general and professional skills and an opportunity for new specialists to align with the labour market. The empirical study of students' understanding of their professional activity and of the conditions for its formation is conducted by applying structured interviews (of practice supervisors, students, academic staff); students and experts' questionnaire. Comparative analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and triangulation were used in case studies. As a result, a framework of pedagogical practice organisation has been created in order to form students' independent professional activity. The criteria and indicators of independent professional activity have been formulated and suggestions for designers of study programmes and organisers of the study process have been provided.


Author(s):  
Anne Roosipõld ◽  
Krista Loogma ◽  
Mare Kurvits ◽  
Kristina Murtazin

In recent years, providing higher education in the form of work-based learning has become more important in the higher education (HE) policy and practice almost in all EU countries. Work-based learning (WBL) in HE should support the development of competences of self-guided learners and adjust the university education better to the needs of the workplace. The study is based on two pilot projects of WBL in HE in Estonia: Tourism and Restaurant Management professional HE programme and the master’s programme in Business Information Technology. The model of integrative pedagogy, based on the social-constructivist learning theory, is taken as a theoretical foundation for the study. A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with the target groups. The data analysis used a horizontal analysis to find cross-cutting themes and identify patterns of actions and connections. It appears, that the challenge for HE is to create better cooperation among stakeholders; the challenge for workplaces is connected with better involvement of students; the challenge for students is to take more initiative and responsibility in communication with workplaces.


Author(s):  
Jyoti Baijal

Examination stress is a ubiquitous phenomenon that has, in the present times, adversely affected the learning outcomes and performance of the students at all levels- primary, secondary or higher education. It’s increasing intensity specifically among students appearing for high stakes board examination evokes a response from the teaching fraternity at the earliest. The reason being that a prolonged experience of stress with respect to evaluative situations is bound to prove detrimental to the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the students. For the nation to develop and progress towards a knowledge society, it is imperative that the students are taught to cope with stressful stimuli and improve performance. Study-Skills Training is an intervention intended to improve their study and test- taking habits and skills. It is based on a cognitive-deficit model which is directed towards improving a variety of cognitive activities that affect the organization, processing and retrieval of information and thereby help in reducing the experience of examination stress. Systematic desensitization as a process can be used to unlearn anxiety reactions by replacing the anxiety response with a calm, relaxed state. Thus, a combination of study-skills training and systematic desensitization has been shown to be effective and superior in alleviating test anxiety


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moacyr Xavier Gomes da Silva ◽  
Franciany Braga-Pereira ◽  
Mikaela Clotilde da Silva ◽  
José Valberto de Oliveira ◽  
Sérgio de Faria Lopes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Reptiles form a paraphyletic group with significant roles for human society, including species that are considered important for food, medicinal and mystical use and as pets. Some species are considered to be aversive, whereas others are captivating among people. Aversion is an important factor which should be considered in the conservation policies of these animals. As such, here, we investigate the demographic, educational, perceptives and behavioural factors of students related to their aversion and non-conservationist attitudes directed towards different reptile species and evaluated the effect of educational exhibition of animals as a strategy of mitigating these attitudes. Methods The data were obtained through forms on the aversion and conservation of reptiles represented by three species, a chelonian, a snake and a lizard. The form was given in two instances, before and after a visit to a private zoo (Museu Vivo Répteis da Caatinga), where the students had contact with the aforementioned species. A total of 133 students participated in the study, among these, 43 from elementary school (21 females and 22 males), 29 from high school (16 females and 13 males), 37 from university biology students (22 females and 15 males) and 24 university mathematics students (6 females and 18 males). Results Among all evaluated species, snakes were considered to be the most aversive species. The aversion attitudes differed between the three evaluated species when correlated to age and type of university courses. However, this pattern did not differ between student sexes. Older students had a lower aversion to the chelonian compared to the younger ones, but for snakes and lizards, the aversion was high among students of all ages. The university biology students had a lower aversion compared to the university mathematics students for the three species. The recognition and handle of the tested species and previous visits to educational exhibitions of animals were negatively related to aversion. The comparative analysis of the forms applied before and after the visit to the Museu Vivo Répteis da Caatinga showed that this visit influenced the decrease of aversion, but not in non-conservationist attitudes, for which the attitude scores had always been low. Conclusions We conclude that reptile aversion varies in accordance with the taxon, being snakes the most disliked by students. The visit to the educational exhibition of animals contributed to the reduction of the observed aversion. This is especially true when the acquisition of educational information about species is associated with practical activities which includes contact with the animals. Finally, the fact that non-conservationist attitudes had been low towards all species perhaps demonstrates a conservationist tendency even for the most aversive species.


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