Teachers' Perspectives on the Root Causes, Behaviors, and Interventions for Students' Lack of Self-Confidence in Mathematics

Ivonne E. Semila1

1

Publication Date: 2025/01/06

Abstract: This phenomenological qualitative study aimed at providing an in-depth understanding of the root cause of students’ low self-confidence in Mathematics, the behaviors that are associated with it, and possible interventions that could be taken to address this. Based on the findings from the interviews with five (5) mathematics teachers, factors that led to low confidence among students include previous poor academic performance, preconceived beliefs that mathematics is a difficult subject and traditional teaching methods that students emphasize behaviors on like memorization. Teachers shared that there is a behavior of being reluctance, meaning, the learners were afraid to participate in problem-solving activities, hesitation to seek clarification, and unexplained uneasiness during exams. Teachers also suggested interventions based on their practical knowledge such as the use of differentiated instruction, collaborative learning and positive feedback to help the students regain their confidence. Teachers pointed at peer tutoring and small group activities that helped the learners to come out of their shells and become more confident. The result showed that by creating an encouraging and patient learning atmosphere in the classroom, the fear of failure was reduced, and the students’ confidence was enhanced. This study linked the theory with the practice and thus offered the stakeholders useful information and recommendations that may be implemented in the field. It stressed the importance of changes in the system for the approaches and environments for teaching mathematics especially in the development of confidence. The results also pointed out the importance inclusive measures to change the students’ perception and results in mathematics, thus reducing the inequalities in academic and lifelong learning.

Keywords: Mathematics Self-Confidence, Student Behavior in Mathematics, Teachers’ Perspectives, Root Causes of Low Confidence, Interventions in Mathematics Education.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14603053

PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT24DEC1893.pdf

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