Mathematics Phobia and Anxiety among Learners: Perspectives of Mathematics Teachers and Classroom Practices

Abstract

Mathematics is an important subject with broad applicability to everyday life, yet often 
considered as a difficult subject for some learners. Mathematics phobia and anxiety are common 
phenomenon which have a negative impact on learning outcomes. Learners are not born with 
mathematics phobia and anxieties; they are victims to the educational processes. Learners think of 
mathematics as an extremely tough subject that they cannot be master over it. In this backdrop it was 
worth to the study the perspectives of mathematics teachers on factors influencing mathematics 
phobia and anxiety among learners at secondary stage. The study explores and analyses the 
perspectives of pre-service and in-service mathematics teachers on suggestive practices on 
eradication of fear of mathematics among learners. The study also reflects on the best practices 
performed by mathematics teacher for eradicating the mathematics phobia and anxiety among 
learners. Based on a descriptive survey research, the present study was confined to pre-service and 
in-service mathematics teachers of Bhubaneswar locality. Both quantitative and qualitative 
approaches have been used for collection of data. The tools included questionnaire for teachers (pre
service and in service), classroom observation and case study protocol. Forty-three secondary level 
pre-service mathematics teachers and 5 in-service mathematics teachers of Bhubaneswar locality 
participated in the study. The major findings of this study revealed lack of confidence in performing 
mathematics/mathematical tasks, lack of courage to express their feelings about mathematics to their 
respective teachers, negative attitude towards mathematics, and avoidance of mathematics 
courses/classes, parental pressure, negative peer pressure etc. were the major factors influencing 
mathematics phobia and anxiety among learners at secondary stage. The study provided suggestive 
practices like to create learner friendly mathematics classrooms, individual attention on every 
learner by their teachers, use of different approaches and strategies in teaching mathematics among 
learners etc. to eradicate fear of mathematics among learners. The study also reflected on the 
evidence based practices performed by mathematics teacher like use of mathematics kit, use of 
community resources, relating mathematics to learners‘ prior experiences, providing ample scope 
for practices in mathematics instructions for eradicating the mathematics phobia and anxiety among 
learners. Based on the findings the study lists educational implications for teachers, students, parents 
and school board