Confidence is Everything” – Perspectives of Teachers and Students on Learning Mathematics

Author: Leone Burton

Source: Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, Volume 7, Number 4, December 2004 , pp. 357-381(25)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper problematises ‘confidence’ as a frequently used explanation for performance in the mathematics classroom. I report on an interview-based study of how some English ‘Advanced’ level (16+) students who have chosen to study mathematics, and their teachers, speak about confidence with respect to the learning of mathematics. I outline what constitutes confident learners for these teachers and, differently, for their students and what the students feel teachers could do to improve the students’ confident state. I discuss the implications of this for the education of prospective teachers of mathematics.

Keywords: classroom climate; confidence in mathematics learning; students; teachers

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10857-004-3355-y

Affiliations: 1: King’s College, London, UK, Email: leone.burton@virgin.net

Publication date: 2004-12-01