과학고등학교 학생들의 수학불안감소와 수학성취도 향상을 위한 인지/행동 훈련의 효과

  • Published : 1997.06.01

Abstract

'I'his study investigated students' attitude toward mathematics. and how behavior/cognitive training affects level of math anxietv and level of math achievement. Subjects were all the freshmen attending Taejon Science High School, and they were given Mathematics Attitudes Scale and Attributional Style Questionnaire prior to and post training sessions. Twenty out of 84 freshmen voluntarily participated in nine sessions of training program. Participants were asked to do self-evaluation. Math achievement was measured prior to and post training. and was compared between two groups. Training program utilized behavior/cognitive approach. such as understanding one's feeling through muscle relaxation, breathing and meditation; modifying negative attributional style; imitating effective cognitive strategies for math problem solving, and so on. 'I'he result shows that students' math confidence in general was relatively low out of expectation, a nd they perceived teachers not supporting their math abilities :IS much as expected. On the other hand, students in general had strong math achievelment needs, and considered math utility very high. Sex difference was seen in the attitude toward female math abilities, to result that female students had more positive perception than male students. Female students of 'I'aejon Science High School seem free from conventional idea about female abilities including theirs. Participants' ~attitude change was compared with non-participants. and participants showed statistically significant change in their math confidence, and also in their math achievement. Participants had much higher math confidence and ~achievement than non-participants. And, they showed increased level of perceiving teachers' expectation. more realistic in needs, and more involvement in math. Math achievement was found positively related to math confidence, and participants' math achievement change was explained by their belief in math utility. Not only training program effect hut also participants' voluntary involvement and teacher\ulcorner' support of the program and participation seem to increase their math achievement. Based upon the result of study it was suggested that behavior-/cognitive training program be provided along with academic curricula for gifted students of Korea to help their emotional and psychological development enhance the efficacy of their cognitive learning.

Keywords