Students’ Perception towards Mathematics using APOS Theory: A Case Study

Abstract

Students’ perceptions towards mathematics seem to be shaped by how they define mathematics and the role of mathematics in their life. Most students in Malaysia lack experience in dealing with mathematics, thus their achievement in mathematics are not as good as non-Malaysian students (Liew & Pong, 2004). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate students’ perceptions in learning mathematics and how these perceptions may lead to problems in understanding the mathematics itself among students in selected Malaysian secondary schools. A set of questionnaire was distributed to 200 students in Kuantan, Pahang in order to gauge their perceptions in learning mathematics. The researcher also assesses the relationship that exists between students’ perceptions towards mathematics and their academic achievement by using APOS Theory. The respondents generally reported a positive perception towards mathematics. With regard to the correlation analysis, there was a significant statistical relationship between students’ perceptions towards mathematics and their UPSR mathematics grade. However, there was no significant difference between students’ perception towards mathematics and recent mathematics grade. These results warrant further researches using more advanced statistical tools in order to obtain more accurate and relevant findings. Finally it is hoped that the study will open new paths that can benefit mathematics in education system and how mathematics are perceived by students in the classroom.

Exploring the Relationship Between Students’ Perception, Interest and Mathematics Achievement

“…This finding agrees with the study of (Arthur et al, 2017;Mariam et al, 2016) which also reported students' negative perception towards mathematics. However, it contradicts the findings of Daud et al (2020) and Hagan et al (2020) who reported that students have positive perception towards mathematics in their studies.…”

“…Hagan et al (2020) concluded that students have positive perception towards mathematics when they used 297 students selected via stratified sampling with questionnaire as the main instruments for collecting data in Ghana. Similarly, Daud et al (2020) purpose was to examine students' perceptions in learning mathematics and how these perceptions contributed to problems in comprehending mathematics among some selected Malaysian Secondary School students. Their study results showed that there was a positive perception towards Mathematics, and a statistically significant relationship between students' perceptions towards mathematics and their mathematics grade using APOS Theory.…”

“…In a descriptive survey design, Hagan et al (2020) reported that there was a very weak and negative relationship between students' perception and achievements in mathematics when they used 180 males and 117 females as the sample. Similarly, Daud et al (2020) who examined students' perceptions in learning mathematics and how these perceptions may contribute to problems in comprehending mathematics among some selected Malaysian secondary school's students. Their study results showed that there was a positive perception towards Mathematics, and that there was a significant statistical relationship between students' perceptions towards mathematics and their mathematics grade using APOS Theory.…”

Effect of Student Perception on Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Secondary Schools in El’arish in North Sinai Governorate in Egypt

“…This finding do agrees also with the study of (Mariam et al, 2016) which also reported students' negative perception towards mathematics. However, it contradicts the findings of Daud et al (2020) and Hagan et al (2020) who reported that students have positive perception towards mathematics in their studies…”

Student Perceptions and Experiences in Mathematics Classrooms: A Thematic Analysis

“…Studies show the connections between learning experiences and perceptions of mathematics learning (Huang & Normandia, 2009;Masingila,2002;Stodolsky, Salk, & Glaessner, 1991). Mathematics perception influences emotions and views and how they feel and think about learning the topic (Daud, Adnan, Aziz, & Embong, 2020). Students' perception of mathematics depends on their classroom learning experiences (Kong, 2008;Kurepa, Roop, & Edoh, 2019), and thereby influence their likes and dislikes to the subject.…”