Areas of Learning and Experince. 7
What can be done to improve attitudes to Maths in primary classrooms? A positive attitude to mathematics is often the first step to being successful with mathematics, however this is often the last thing which is demonstrated by students. (J. Willis, 2010:5). Math anxiety is often described as an inability for a person to cope with the challenges of mathematics often regardless of perceived intelligence of that person. (B. Perry, 2004). Mathematics anxiety (now known as ‘maths’ anxiety rest of text) is psychological but can show physiological effects. When confronted with a maths problem students with maths anxiety can display sweaty palms, feel sick, have heart palpitations, and commonly paralysis of thought. (B. Perry, 2004). In a poll of 1,000 people in the united states 37% of people stated that they hated maths in school. (J. Willis, 2010:5). However, random sampling of adults in the United States, found that 71% couldn’t calculate miles per gallon on a trip...