Innovative Classroom Strategy: Impact on Students’ Mathematics Motivation, Anxiety and Achievement in Pre-University Studies

One aspect that influences mathematics achievement is students' mathematics motivation, which is closely related to their mathematics anxiety. This study aims to incorporate a classroom intervention strategy using a brain-based teaching approach (BBTA) with technological tools to improve students' mathematics performance in pre-university studies. BBTA was used in the classroom to increase students’ mathematics interest and minimise their mathematics anxiety to increase mathematics performance. Two hundred and six (206) pre-university students were exposed to both BBTA and conventional instructions during their Statistic lessons. Questionnaire comprises of motivation and anxiety-related questions as well as pre and post mathematics tests were administered to these students. Based on the findings, students with low anxiety appeared to have more self-confidence when studying mathematics, which simultaneously improved their examination results. These two elements are critical in students' learning of mathematics because students who have low levels of anxiety and high levels of motivation in learning mathematics attain high achievement in mathematics

Mathematics Practice Sem 1

Mathematics Practice Semester 1 is specially written for foudation students level taking Mathematics at Centre for Pre-University, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak or local matriculation centres. The objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive discourse of the basic concepts and foundation in Mathematics. This book contains ten chapters. Each chapter starts with a page of notes and formulae for easy reference. In each chapter, the concepts are explained clearly with real practice questions. Question and answer for each chapter provide a wide range of examination type question based on the concepts and theories learnt. Answers are also provided for all questions on each chapter. To optimize the effectiveness of this books, students are advised not to simply read the notes and formulae but instead to work out the solution and method on the space provided below the questions. All mathematical concepts are presented clearly in simple English for easy understanding. Practical questions have been incorporated to the chapters to enhance better understanding of the concepts. The book is also suitable for first year undergraduate Mathematics course for a degree or diploma programme

Scienceploration 2023

The Scienceploration Camp is an initiative of the Centre for Pre-University Studies, UNIMAS (PPPU), which aims to increase the interest in science among secondary school students. It is also an effort taken by PPPU towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 4 in providing equal quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. On top of that, this camp supports Sarawak’s Digital Economy Strategy in nurturing an integrated ecosystem to foster inclusive digital society, by building the right foundations to grow our local digital economy

Understanding the Relationship Between Students’ Mathematics Anxiety Levels and Mathematics Performances at the Foundation Level

For many students, mathematics is regarded as a challenging subject to learn and master in class. One of the significant factors contributing to the students’ difficulties in learning mathematics is caused by a phenomenon called mathematics anxiety. Mathematics anxiety is a feeling of unease and anxiety toward mathematics and it can be different from person-to-person. Understanding the effects of mathematics anxiety levels on students’ mathematics performances in class can be the key to help students’ mastery of mathematics. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between mathematics anxiety levels and students’ mathematics performances at the foundation level. A sample of 545 students from a local foundation centre was chosen for this study. Data collection via questionnaire was used where quantitative data were analysed using correlation, t-test, and descriptive analyses. The results showed that there was a weak positive correlation between students’ anxiety levels and the students’ mathematics performance in their final examination. Recommendations and future potential for this study were further discussed in this paper

The Effects of Mathematics Anxiety Towards Students' Behaviour and Performance in Pre-University Studies

It is normal for students to treat mathematics as a difficult subject and this causes students to avoid solving problems that involve counting and numbers (Ashcraft, 2002). The on-edge sentiment one experiences when dealing with numerical issue is called mathematics anxiety. Mathematics anxiety appears to be seen in students at schools at all levels and unfortunately it keeps on expanding as school years advance (Yurtcu & Dogan, 2003). Hence, it is logical to say that mathematics anxiety can be increased once students enter pre-university studies. As mathematics is one of the core subjects for all programmes in pre-university, the level of Mathematics anxiety can be a good predictor of students' performance in their academics (Venkatesh & Karimi, 2010). This study focuses on discovering the mathematics anxiety level through questionnaires, interviews and studying its effects on students learning behaviour in pre-university studies. A study of mathematics anxiety and its impacts towards students' conduct can give an understanding of the most proficient method to decrease mathematics anxiety and subsequently influence the class to reduce anxiety in managing mathematical problems