Self-Motivation and Learning Competencies in Mathematics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics anxiety is the result of the student's negative attitude that will result in poor performance to acquire different mathematical skills and processes that are useful in their everyday lives. A positive attitude towards Mathematics among students is an important goal of Mathematics education. The study was conducted to assess the self-motivation to learn and the learning competencies in Mathematics of Grade 7 students in the public secondary schools in Cabarroguis, Division of Quirino.

METHODS

The study utilized a structured questionnaire to gather the data and information needed in the research. It is divided into three parts:1. Checklist on the profile of respondents; 2. Assessment of the respondents' self-motivation to learn Mathematics that comprises 23 motivations lifted from Githua and Mwangi (2003). 3. The test questions lifted from Nivera (2012) composed 50 items taken proportionately from the 33 basic competencies of the first and second quarter of the Mathematics course for Grade 7. The data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, mean, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson-r.

RESULTS

In their learning competencies, however, they are "beginning" in "Sets," "Algebra and Irrational Numbers" and "Algebraic Expressions" while they are "developing" in "Measurements." Respondents' ethnic affiliation affects their agreement on the self-motivation statements to learn Mathematics along with interest; type of school enrolled in along satisfaction and relevance; while sex, fathers' level of education and type of school graduated from along perceived probability of success. Agreement of the respondents on the self-motivation statements to learn along interest and relevance are significantly correlated with their competency level in "Sets," while their agreement on the self-motivation statements to learn along satisfaction is significantly correlated with their competency level in "Sets" and "Measurements." The higher their agreement on the self-motivation statements to learn along with interest and relevance and satisfaction, the higher is their competency level in Mathematics along "Sets" and "Measurements."

DISCUSSIONS

The results validate the essential of self-motivation of the students in the competency level of Mathematics. The learner should always develop a positive attitude and habits towards Mathematics. Learning opportunities and evaluation provided by the teachers must be within the reach of students' ability and that could stimulate higher order thinking skills.