Predictive ability of problem-solving efficacy sources on mathematics achievement

<span>This study examined the relationship between mathematics achievement and mathematics problem-solving efficacy sources. A cluster sample of 123 first year prospective teachers of a Philippine higher education institution responded to a 30-item problem-solving efficacy scales and took the teacher-made tests in Mathematics in the Modern World course; namely, Non-Routine Problem Solving and Natures and Numbers Pattern Tracing (NRPS-NNPT), Math Language and Symbols (MLS), and Data Management (DM). The research data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Pearson-r and Standard Multiple Regression. On the average, the respondents had satisfactory mathematics achievement. They reported a high level of social persuasion and somatic response and a low level of vicarious experience and mastery experience in mathematics problem-solving. Vicarious experience was directly associated with mastery experience while social persuasion and mastery experience were both inversely related to somatic responses. Among the four problem-solving efficacy sources, only social persuasion significantly predicted mathematics achievement specifically in the areas of NRPS-NNPT, MLS, and DM. Thus, becoming a trusted voice of encouragement and designing a persuasive and optimistic learning environment are highly recommended roles of schools to facilitate students’ mathematics achievement.</span>

The relationship between music performance anxiety and self-efficacy in sixth- to eighth-grade instrumental students

The purpose of this nonexperimental, quantitative study was to test social cognitive theory as it relates self-efficacy to anxiety. Music performance anxiety (MPA) and music performance self-efficacy (MPSE) were tested within a stratified random sample of Grades 6–8 instrumental music students ( N = 228) enrolled in middle schools located within the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. To determine levels of MPA and MPSE, participants completed the Music Performance Anxiety Inventory for Adolescents (MPAI-A) and the Music Performance Self-Efficacy Scale (MPSES). A correlational research design was used to test both the strength of the relationship between MPA and MPSE and the extent to which MPA could be predicted by two sources of self-efficacy: mastery experience and verbal/social persuasion. Results revealed a statistically significant, weak negative correlation between MPA and MPSE and a significant predictive relationship between MPA scores and the linear combination of mastery experience and verbal/social persuasion. Recommendations for future research include an investigation into the following: (a) the relationships between verbal/social persuasion and MPA among middle school-aged students, (b) strategies for teaching self-efficacy as a coping mechanism for MPA, and (c) how the relationship between MPA and MPSE is affected by proximity to performance.

Students’ Personality and Susceptibility to Persuasion during Mathematics Groupwork: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this exploratory study was to understand how and to what extent personality traits, positionality, and content knowledge influence students’ susceptibility to persuasion during groupwork. Personality surveys, recorded videos, and semi-structured interviews provided evidence to support the findings. The findings confirmed that individuals who have low levels of conscientiousness or high levels of neuroticism are more likely to be convinced during a group activity. Additionally, individual background of content knowledge influenced the group persuasion process. A rich body of content knowledge about a subject area helped students feel that they were more confident; those who had confidence were more actively involved in discussions and firmly stood by their own opinions during the social persuasion process. However, the findings indicated there was not a link between susceptibility to persuasion and learners’ sociocultural factors. These findings provide educators with insights for improving the design of constructive groups in the mathematics classroom.

The role of teacher identity in teacher self-efficacy development: the case of Katie

This article illustrates the role of teacher identity in teacher self-efficacy development during initial teacher education. It has been posited that teacher self-efficacy develops on the basis of information accessed through four self-efficacy sources: vicarious and enactive experiences, social persuasion, and physiological and affective states, and by interacting with a myriad of personal and external factors. The very process of teacher self-efficacy development, however, is not well understood. This phenomenological longitudinal qualitative case study contributes to addressing this issue by illustrating how a pre-service secondary mathematics teacher’s teacher self-efficacy is affected by the way she sees herself. More specifically, the study illustrates how aspects of a strong student teacher identity negatively affect the pre-service teacher’s teacher self-efficacy appraisal, and how her teacher identity, emerging through the processes of autonomous role enactment and social verification, supports teacher self-efficacy development.

Teaching methods that foster self-efficacy belief: Perceptions of collegiate musicians from the United States

Self-efficacy belief is a strong predictor of successful performance. Developmental differences in the acquisition of self-beliefs have been attributed to myriad individual and contextual factors, including teacher influence. The aim of this mixed-method study was to examine collegiate music students’ perceptions of teaching methods that strengthened or weakened music performance belief. A questionnaire was sent to music students enrolled in their third or fourth years of highly competitive collegiate music programs in the United States ( N = 83). Analysis of variance revealed that students who reported studying with a teacher who “influenced them to become greater than they imagined possible” indicated significantly higher music performance self-efficacy beliefs than those who had not. Participants most frequently mentioned belief-enhancing methods associated with verbal/social persuasion (e.g., demonstrated belief in student potential, encouragement, high expectations, accountability, and personalized, logical instruction). Reported mastery experience methods were frequently coupled with verbal/social persuasion and encompassed a collaborative approach to selecting repertoire, tools for self-analysis and practice maximization, opportunities and encouragement to perform often, and goal setting. Over one in three participants conveyed studying with a teacher who “influenced them to become a weaker performer,” highlighting the need to educate music teachers in belief-enhancing pedagogical practices.

Understanding Perceptions about Physically Active Lifestyles among Participants in a School-sponsored “Mothers in Movement Program” in an Inner-City Community

This study is aimed at understanding perceptions regarding how physical activity impacts women who are participating in the Mothers in Movement program an initiative sponsored by two priority schools in Heredia, Costa Rica and also examines social support received by participants and their families. The goal was to obtain input to foster interventions towards increasing physical activity among sedentary adult women and their families. This study uses a qualitative approach, obtaining data through focus groups conducted among a sample of 22 persons who are stay-at-home mothers. The study results show that, at an intrapersonal level, women feel more successful and self-sufficient when they are physically active. They are also better able to control their expectations as well as their social, persuasion and modelling abilities. On an interpersonal level, participants turned to social, instrumental, emotional and informational support and companionship when deciding to engage in physical activity. Finally, at an organizational level, the school´s support in helping coordinate and execute this project was essential to promoting physical activity. This study highlighted the success of a socio-ecological model as a starting point to help sedentary mothers and their families lead more physically active lives.

Exploring the sources of self-efficacy by Flemish school principals in primary education

Self-efficacy is a perceived judgment that one has the ability to execute a course of action that brings about a desired result. While a growing body of research demonstrates the importance of self-efficacy by school leaders, little is known about the different sources of principals’ self-efficacy. This qualitative study investigates the relevance of Bandura’s sources of self-efficacy and on potential additional sources. The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with 23 primary school principals in Flanders (Belgium). The results reveal that mastery experiences prove to be the most powerful source of principal self-efficacy although they are mainly small successes and do not refer to extraordinary achievements or excellent results. This study also emphasizes the importance of verbal or social persuasion and gaining knowledge. Suggestions for further research, limitations and implications of this study are discussed.

Efektivitas Self Efficacy terhadap Pemahaman Tanda Bahaya Kehamilan menggunakan Video dan Buku Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak

One effort to increase the understanding of pregnant women about the danger signs of pregnancy is to carry out social persuasion in the form of education to improve self-efficacy of understanding the danger signs. Education can be done using a variety of media, namely visual media, audio and audio visual. This literature study aims to find out Effectiveness of Self-Efficacy towards Understanding of Pregnancy Danger Signs using Videos and Books of MCH.The design used in this study is the study of literature. The type of data used is secondary data obtained from journal database searches taken through the internet, both national and international journals. The search results obtained as many as 12 journals that are considered in accordance with the purpose of the study. The results of the literature study show that there is an effect of Self-Efficacy on Understanding of the Signs of danger of pregnancy using Video, there is an effect of Self-Efficacy of Understanding of Signs of danger of pregnancy using the MCH Handbook, and Video media is more effective than the Book of MCH. The conclusion of this literature study is The effectiveness of education delivered is affected by a variety of things, one of which is the media used. The better the media used, the easier the reception of material by respondents. Recommendations from this literature study virtue need to improve the health promotion strategy by advocacy strategy, social support strategy and community empowerment strategy