Math anxiety is caused by the negative
predispositions of mathematics teacher. Teachers and parents that are afraid of
mathematics pass that on to their students and children (Furner & Duffy,
2002). Teachers with mathematics anxiety transmit their anxiety to their
students (Kelly and Tomhave, 1985; Bulman and Young, 1982 and Lazarus, 1974).
If the
teacher does not value mathematics, his students certainly cannot be expected
to value mathematics either. There are many things the mathematics teacher can
do that will provoke his students to dislike mathematics. The teacher may be
perceived as not caring about students because he is unwilling to give extra
help to students who need it. The students need to know that their teacher is
able and willing to help them.
Most students fear of asking for help and
they feel shy because they do not know how to solve the mathematics problems.
Besides that, the fear of being blamed by their teachers seemed to be a
recurring theme in the students’ response.
This situation created a barrier between the teacher and the student
relationship.
According to (Jackson & Leffingwell,
1999), the teacher needs to be aware of his words, sighs, and overall body
language. This is because the teacher may become angry or frustrated and use
non-proper words when his class does not understand the problems.
Moreover,
covering the textbook problem by problem can turn students off from learning
mathematics. Also, giving written work every day, insisting there is only one
correct way to complete a problem, and assigning mathematics problems as
punishment for misbehaviour can cause students to dislike mathematics (Furner
& Duffy, 2002).
No one
enjoys discipline. Making students do mathematics as a form of discipline could
very likely cause students to dislike mathematics.
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