Attitudes and Extent of Divergency and Convergency related to Performance of Saudi Pupils in Mathematics (original) (raw)

In Saudi Arabia, many pupils complain of failure in mathematics and they seem to have a negative image about mathematics. Therefore, this study aims to investigate attitudes of pupils in relation to mathematics. A survey was applied with intermediate pupils (aged about 13-15) during the early stages of adolescence. This is considered as a critical period when pupils can start to form their views and attitudes. The study also looked at divergency and convergency in relation to pupil performance. Previous studies had indicated the important of the convergency and divergency learning characteristics in relation to science. Thus, this study aimed to explore the extent to which these characteristics are important in relation to mathematics. The study reviews the literature relating to the importance of attitudes in learning, its different definitions and its targets. Then, it describes specifically how attitude can be relevant in relation to mathematics as well as reviewing work done to measure attitudes towards mathematics. The approaches in measuring attitudes are discussed. Finally, divergency and convergency, seen as learner characteristics, are discussed and how these can be related to learning in mathematics. The survey was conducted in intermediate schools in Saudi Arabia. Because of the segregation system that Saudi Arabia adopts, two girls' and two boys' schools were selected from typical Saudi population. Around 669 boys and girls participated in the project and they were asked to complete a questionnaire to show their views about mathematics. They also completed convergency and divergency tests. Because this project was carried out at the beginning of the school year, pupils' final mathematics examination marks for the previous year were obtained. Chi-square was used as a contingency test to explore the changes in attitudes with age and any gender differences. Pearson correlation was used to explore any relationships involving the tests of convergency and divergency, and examination marks. Kendall's Tau-b correlation looked at any relationships between responses to attitude questions and performance. iii From the results of the convergency and divergency tests, it was found that being both convergent and divergent is an advantage in mathematics examination. Moreover, it was noticed that the pupils who perform well in convergent tests tend to do better in divergent tests as well. Generally from questionnaire responses, it was found that pupils tend to have a positive attitude in the earlier stage of schooling then these attitudes deteriorate when they became older. However, there was no difference with age in pupils responses to some questions. Gender comparisons show that boys and girls tend to have similar views in some questions such as their image of mathematician, reasons for going to university and reasons to study mathematics. However, they have different views in other questions such as questions about mathematics, their abilities in mathematics, future careers, preferences for general and mathematical activities This study has offered an overview of the learning of mathematics in Saudi Arabia and it suggests some important issues for future work. There are some persons that contributed and participated in this study and I want to express my appreciation to them. However, before I thank anyone, praise be to Allah who always exists with me in any happy and sad moments in my life. First of all, I should like to express my special gratitude to Professor Norman Reid, my great supervisor, for his kind and persistent support, constant encouragements and valuable advice. I have learned from him during my study the real meaning of teaching and learning. Indeed, without him and his worthy suggestions, this study could not have been completed. I am grateful to Professor Rex Whitehead for his great effort and volunteering to read my thesis in the final stage and his advice to improve my thesis. I wish to thank all head of schools and teachers that I worked with and all participants for their help and giving me time. Particularly, I am thankful to my brother, Doctor Waleed Badgaish and my uncle, Sameer Badgaish for their cooperation in applying the survey in the boys' school. My deepest thanks goes to my husband, AbdulKareem Bamaga, for his encouragement and companionship with me abroad, leaving his work. My faithful love goes to my beloved children, Dana and Firas, whose existence in my life are a source of my happiness and success. Finally, I would like to tender my extreme love to my great mother, Noor Badgaish, for her encouragement to study and to be patient during years studying abroad. I am really indebted to her for her support, worry and prayers for me. Whatever I do and write, I can not give her what she deserved.