In the “Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)” Taiwanese students performed exceptionally, although they exhibited a less positive attitude and self-confidence about their mathematics learning. The study assessed 672 students from the third and fourth grades for their learning interests, learning confidence, and mathematics achievement longitudinally across three time-points within a school year. Hierarchical linear growth models were utilized to examine two research questions. The results indicated that (1) learning interests, learning confidence, and mathematics achievement all had unique developmental trajectories. While learning interests and confidence declined over time, the slope of learning interests was steeper. The average intercepts of learning interests and confidence of third-graders were higher than those of fourth-graders. The average intercept of learning confidence of boys was higher than that of girls. While mathematics achievement improved over time, the improvements were greater for third-graders and boys than for fourth-graders and girls. (2) The longitudinal effects of learning interests and confidence in mathematics achievement growth were varied. With learning interests as predictors, the increases in mathematics achievement were greater for third-graders and girls than for fourth-graders and boys; growth in learning interests was positively associated with growth in mathematics achievement without significant differences in grades and gender. With learning confidence as predictors, the increases in mathematics achievement were greater for third-graders and boys than for fourth-graders and girls; growth in learning confidence was positively associated with growth in mathematics achievement without significant differences in grades and gender. With learning interests and confidence as predictors, mathematics achievement declined over time. For third-graders and girls, the improvement in mathematics achievement was greater than for fourth-graders and boys. Growth in learning interests and confidence among boys as well as growth in learning confidence among girls were positively associated with growth in mathematics achievement. Conclusions and implications are discussed.
|
Learning Interests and Confidence on Mathematics Achievement Growth in Intermediate Grades
Download
