Learning Difficulties and Understanding in General Mathematics among Grade 11 Learners in Lobo Senior High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Learner's engagement in Mathematics refers to the student's eagerness to learn Mathematics and their confidence and emotional condition inability to succeed in Mathematics. In the learning process, it refers to their tendency to learn more and be more reactive in further learning. Thus, it has an impact on upper course selection, educational pathways, and later career choices of the students. This study will identify the level of understanding and ascertain the reasons why students encountered difficulties in learning Mathematics such as memory, understanding Mathematical problems, and attention problems that can struggle in the learning process.

METHODS

This study used the descriptive correlation method. This study used as respondents the Grade 11 learners of Senior High School in Lobo to determine the difficulties encountered in learning General Mathematics.

RESULTS

The study recommends that teachers should provide different kinds of activities that can catch the learner's interest and test the critical thinking abilities of the learners to have a good level of understanding toward general mathematics. Researchers used different strategies in teaching General Mathematics to further understand the lesson and used different kinds of learning resources that can motivate and increase student's interest in learning general mathematics. Teachers may use the proposed instructional activities to overcome the difficulties encountered by the students in learning general mathematics.

DISCUSSIONS

To obtain a good level of understanding towards General Mathematics, learners must have the interest in the subject matter and have the ability to practice their skills in solving word problems so they can do their assignment or activities on time because they have the interest to perform it. Students must participate in the discussion, answer the exercises, watch some videos related to the topic, and have advance reading on the topic. Study habits as a desired repetitive pattern of studying subject. Good study habits, therefore, will make learners rational in thinking, curious, open-minded, objective, honest, humble, and never suspicious. It also enhances cognitive abilities that help the students to perform better. In order to have a good level of understanding towards general mathematics, students must attain good perception skills, where the students can use this ability to elicit a different kind of problems so they can easily identify the right process in solving the equation or problem. Students must be active in the discussion so they can remember and understand all the information given by the teacher and it can be their tool to analyze different kinds of equations, expressions, and problems. Perception skills help a lot in order to understand General Mathematics. Teachers who have good teaching skills help students feel at ease in their environment. Teachers who are able to use both verbal and non-verbal communication help learners understand. The purpose of this is to align the learners’ understanding of the topic with current knowledge, learn a different concept, and familiarize different formulas in Math. It also teaches them to control and monitor their thought processes to facilitate learning.