Modeling Students' Self-Efficacy in Mathematics during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract


 Self-efficacy in learning mathematics helps the student to overcome difficulties and challenges in problem-solving during unprecedented times. This article aims to measure the level of students' self-efficacy and its determinants during the COVID-19 pandemic in learning mathematics online. The study considered primary data from 233 students selected in a non-random approach at Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines through the aid of an online survey. The data were analyzed using some descriptive statistics calculation and regression analysis was used to model the students' self-efficacy and its factors. Results showed that, on average, the students' self-efficacy level is considered "moderate" amidst the pandemic. This means that most of these students are still having mathematical anxiety and experiencing hindrances in achieving good academic performance in mathematics online. The statistical model revealed that the demographic and learning profile of students is not significantly influencing the level of self-efficacy. In addition to that, the mathematics teachers' intervention has shown also an insignificant influence on the students' self-efficacy. In conclusion, students during the pandemic are having difficulty adopting a new type of learning (distant/online) due to their moderate level of self-efficacy. Hence, the study recommends that teachers must make the learning environment exciting and interesting to boost the students' motivation and self-efficacy in doing their mathematics tasks. Furthermore, teachers must give mathematics activities that are suitable and doable for online learning that enhances students' creative thinking.

Mathematics Students' Coping Behaviour, Happiness, and Self-efficacy in the New Normal: Correlation and K-means Cluster Analysis

“…This goes to infer that as students use the coping mechanism as they do their required tasks in online learning, they are more likely motivated to finish their work since the coping behavior of students reduces unpleasant emotions. In fact, studies have shown that coping behavior and self-efficacy must take place in students' aspects as they face the challenges in online learning to accomplish good academic achievement (Baloran, 2020;Budimir et al, 2021;Casinillo, 2023). Moreover, students' efficacy level is positively associated (rs=0.30, p-value<0.001) with their happiness in learning mathematics online at a 1% level of significance and vice versa (Table 4).…”

“…On the other hand, self-efficacy is also part of the picture, it is the student's capacity to do things necessary to accomplish goals. In the study of Casinillo (2023), it is mentioned that self-efficacy helps students overcome the challenges during the pandemic in learning mathematics. Nurhikmah et al (2021) stated that a high level of students' self-efficacy results to lower anxiety and increases the students' well-being in doing the required task in the learning environment.…”

“…This implies that students are moderately desiring or have a moderate ability to accomplish their goals and tasks in the learning environment. According to Casinillo (2023), students' efficacy levels are adversely affected due to the anxiety and depression brought on by the pandemic. In that case, students have doubtfulness in doing their required learning assessments and tasks which reduces their self-efficacy in learning mathematics.…”

“…Students are having difficulty understanding their lessons because of the not conducive learning platform which caused them stress and depression resulting in low happiness levels (Osawa et al, 2022). In fact, several social scientists have revealed that distance education is not that effective due to the barriers and limitations associated with internet connectivity and misuse of technology (Irfan et al, 2020;Francom et al, 2021;Casinillo et al, 2022;Casinillo, 2023). Due to this issue, it is necessary to study the well-being or happiness of student learning in order to formulate a teaching method that will enhance their motivation to have a good cognitive attitude towards learning amid their online classes.…”

“…Happiness gives motivation and interest in acquiring the necessary knowledge that is needed for problem-solving skills. In that case, to increase their happiness level, students must possess self-efficacy in learning mathematics to build confidence that they can do better and achieve despite the challenges during online learning (Casinillo, 2023). Another thing is that students must develop a coping behaviour or mechanism to execute their required activities properly while avoiding stress and depression brought on by the pandemic in the educational environment (Savitsky et al, 2020;Li & Che, 2022).…”