STUDENTS INTEREST IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS

The study is designed to identify the problems and difficulties among

high school students in learning mathematics and to implement effective
teaching methods to resolve them.

Before we start teaching of a subject, it is important for us to know as to

why we are going to teach it? What should be the aims of teaching mathematics in
our schools? The answer requires the knowledge of all the advantages that can be
drawn from the teaching of the subject. So arousing and maintaining students
interest in mathematics is a major problem for the teacher. He knows that loss of
interest is one of the principle causes of student failure. Students work most
effectively at tasks in which they are genuinely interested.

The element of novelty, usefulness and sheer intellectual curiosity are the
primary stimuli for awakening of interest. Mathematics situations lack, of course
the lucid human interest of the ordinary mystery novel, but they do not lack the
essential curiosity provoking possibilities. Mathematics exibits fully and the power
of man to think consistently and logically. In the case of some students, this value
of mathematics creates an appealing interest of higher importance.So it is
important to conduct a study on the interest of students in learning mathematics.

Objecives of the study

To identify students interest in learning mathematics.

Methodology

Sample

The sample for the present study consists of 18 students of Std. VIII,

Govt. H S S. Kudamaloor.
Tool

A self-made questionnaire has been used for data collection. Expert opinions
were sought in order to make the tool a valid one.

Data Collection

The questionnaire consists of 10 questions prepared on the basis of students

interest in learning mathematics. All the students have made their opinions.
Students were free to express their thoughts because the need for the survey is to
improve the standard of teaching. The collected data were converted into a tabular
column and scores were compared.

Data Analysis

The analysis shows that 70% of the students like to learn mathematics.
Teachers are very cooperative towards students in their learning. Most of the
students know the importance of mathematics throughout the life, but more than
60% of the students are tensed while solving mathematical problems. Only 20% of
the students find their own ways of doing problems. It shows that their self
sufficiency is not up to the level of as far as their grade of schooling is concerned.
Although 60% of the students like to participate in mathematical club, only 20% of
the teachers use computer/ICT in their class. It is glad to note that about 75% of the
students are able to compare mathematics with their real life situations. In short,
students are having a positive attitude towards learning mathematics. But certain
teaching strategies should be implemented for the backward students in
mathematics.

Findings and Conclusion

The result of the present study leads to the following conclusions.

More than 70% of the students like to learn Mathematics.

 Even though students face difficulty in solving mathematics problems,
about 75% of the students could be able to compare mathematics with
real life situations.
More than 60% of students are interested in participating in
mathematics club and other mathematical activities.