Attitudes toward Mathematics and Mathematics Self-Efficacy on a Learning Community Model: A Case Study

This study investigates the change in two theoretical constructs, attitudes toward mathematics and mathematics self-efficacy, among college students involved in a learning community model. The case of this study was a developmental mathematics class offered at a historically black college located in the southeastern United States. Subjects included 31 students enrolled in an introductory mathematics course, some of whom participated in a learning community (treatment group). The participants completed mathematics attitudes and mathematics efficacy instruments twice: at the beginning of the semester and again at the end. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a non-parametric statistic. The results showed that students' attitudes toward mathematics and mathematics self-efficacy are strongly correlated; the mathematical problem-solving efficacy changed significantly over time and it is significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group; and the treatment group produced better outcomes. These findings indicate that a learning community model can increase students' mathematics self-efficacy beliefs. It is recommended that mathematics self-efficacy and attitudes toward mathematics be measured over an extended period of time when a learning community is implemented.