Effective Strategies under Constructivist Approach of Learning to Reduce Fear and Phobia in Mathematics

Abstract

Mathematics is a very important school subject because of its utility in practical life. It 
is correlated with all the school subjects and is crucial in the career choice, however it is 
characterized with the fear and phobia among students. Constructivist approach is one of the 
most effective approach in which learners take self-initiative with positive attitude, are actively 
engaged in learning and provided opportunity to learn at their own pace. This approach 
provides flexibility and even welcome of wrong answer in creative perspective because it focuses 
more on process rather than product. What are the strategies under constructivist approach of 
learning to reduce fear and phobia in mathematics? What are the exact causes of fear and 
phobia in mathematics in the opinion of mathematics teachers? This study was conducted to 
know the answers of the above mentioned questions empirically. A self-constructed interview 
schedule was administered on a sample of 50 secondary schools mathematics teachers of 
Aligarh district. The Qualitative analysis of data revealed that emphasizing much on timely test, 
not valuing the mistakes of students, telling again and again that mathematics is a difficult 
subject and not realizing the utility of mathematics in practical life are some of the important 
causes of fear and phobia towards mathematics. Further, teachers opined that focusing on 
inductive approach, developing confidence in learners, self-construction of knowledge, fun with 
informative activities, inculcating problem solving ability and focusing on basic skills in 
mathematics are some of the strategies to reduce fear and phobia in mathematics.  Effective 
strategies under constructivist approach will have the perpetual impact on the attitude of 
students towards mathematics as it results to learn it at their own ability and interest, thus 
reducing the fear and phobia in mathematics. The findings of the study, hence, will have much 
implications for the teachers as well as policy makers