Motivating High School Students in South Texas to

Achieve in Mathematics

Ms. Cristina PintorEDCI 6300.61Dr. A. Herrera

Spring 2012

Problem StatementThe problem is that students in South Texas high schools lack motivation for learning math and are not able to attain the level required by the Texas Essential Knowledge and skills (TEKS) measured by the state proficiency assessment.

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to discover the best strategies to motivate high school students in learning the math curriculum so they can achieve the desired level and be successful in their subsequent math classes.

NeedSouth Texas needs outstanding professors who are willing to motivate students by using effective strategies, not only to pass the state assessments, but to be prosperous in their careers.

Types of ResearchStudies included in this synthesis are non-experimental and experimental. It involves case studies, surveys, casual-comparative research, descriptive and, correlational studies.

Reviewing the LiteratureBomia et al. (1997) conducted a quantitative research paper that focuses on finding how teaching methods impact on intrinsic motivation in secondary education students. According to the study, “teaching strategies can influence intrinsic motivation”.

Reviewing the LiteratureAccording to the study conducted by Md. Yunus & Wan Ali (2009), teachers need to reserve part of the class time to conduct activities that would develop enthusiasm in mathematics, thus enhancing students’ motivation in learning mathematics.

Reviewing the LiteratureQualitative study by Lumsden (1996), reports the following effective classroom practices to keep students motivated:Showing enthusiasm at their students’

learning processSetting high learning goalsMaking students responsibleEmphasizing the positiveUse of cooperative learning and

discipline

Reviewing the LiteraturePlanning of activity-based and student-

centered lessonsProvide encouragementIllustration of conceptsUse of alternative assessmentCreate a risk-taking atmosphereValuing attitude and positive feedbackShowing real-life applications and

lifelong learning.

ResultsThe findings from this literature review show a correlation between motivation and achievement. Effective teaching strategies are good resources to motivate students in the learning of math.

ConclusionTeachers cannot control what happens at the students’ home or what happens after their class, those are the reasons why professors need to be passionate about their subject in such a way that could make a difference in the students’ life and engage them in the learning process.

Sources Bomia, L., Beluzo, L., Demeester, D., Eleander, K., Johnson, M., &

Sheldon, B. (1997). The impact of teaching practices on intrinsic motivation. ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Md.Yunus, A.S., & Wan Ali, W. Z. (2009). Motivation in the learning of mathematics. European Journal of Social Sciences, 7(4).

Lumsden, L. (1996). Motivating today's students: the same old stuff just doesn't work. ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, 1(2), 9. doi: ED422612

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