Enhancing Performance of Students with Math Anxiety through the Writing-Out Strategy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In today's technological and scientific society, the value of mathematics is highly significant. However, in spite of this, there are still a high number of students who are honest about their dislike of the subject. However, for some, the issue is more than disliking the subject but also could cause negative emotions like fear of failure. This fear is known as Math Anxiety. This study determined the prevalence ofMath Anxiety among the three sections of Grade 11 Senior High School students. This research also determined the effectiveness of the Writing out Strategy in enhancing the performance of the students who were identified to be Mathematically Anxious.

METHODS

This research made use of the experimental method since its main purpose was to determine the effectiveness of the Writing out Strategy on the performance of the respondents identified to be mathematically anxious. The Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale, modified (Mills, 2010) was utilized to determine whether a respondent has Math anxiety. From this, two groups were formed and were subjected to a pre-test. Then both groups were taught by the same teacher, with the same lessons using the same strategy. However, the experimental group was exposed to the writing out a strategy before the execution of the post-test.

RESULTS

From the total sample of139, 104 respondents were identified to be mathematically anxious. The result of the pre-test among the respondents showed to be below the mastery level of75% with a little difference in the mean level between the two groups. On the other hand, the results of the post-test in the controlled and experimental group both showed a significant improvement in the performance and are above the mastery level. However, it was also found out that the experimental group which was exposed to the writing out strategy yielded a higher mean score.

DISCUSSIONS

With the justification of the prevalence ofMath Anxiety, it would be best that before any intervention should be done, a good assessment and evaluation of the students' status would be a great benchmark for each and every educator in terms of improving the performance of the students. The writing out strategy is also recommended since the results of this study also proved its effectiveness in relieving math anxiety which eventually improved math performance.