nur adilah yahaya

SME 3023:

TRENDS AND ISSUES IN EDUCATION FOR MATHEMATICAL

SCIENCES

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT:

Skillful Problem Solving

NAME & MATRIC NO:

NUR ADILAH BINTI YAHAYA

D20081032234

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

15.12.2011

LECTURER’S NAME:

PROF DR MARZITA PUTEH

1. What is the problem?

Malaysia is among 59 countries that participated in the study of international

mathematics and science achievement for students aged 14 years old that was conducted

by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study at Fourth and eighth

grades, International Study Center, Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Chestnut

Hill, Massachusetts, The USA. Prior to 2007, Malaysia has also participated in the same

study for the year 1999 and 2003. This study was conducted once every four years.

TIMSS’ 2007 research findings shows that average achievement scores for Malaysian

students' in 2007 for Mathematics and Science have deteriorated significantly compared

with the Malaysian student scores performance in 1999 and 2003 studies. Among the 59

countries taking part in the study, there are national sample of students achieving an

average score increased slightly or decreased slightly. But the decline in average

achievement scores of students in Malaysia 34 points for Mathematics and 40 points for

Science is a significant and largest once among the 59 countries. This shows that

Malaysian students are less competitive in the TIMMS compared to all participating

countries and not globally prepared.

2. Why is there a problem?

Students’ achievement in Mathematics and Science may be influenced from one of

these factors such as family background, language used in teaching, learning and

students’ attitude towards Mathematics and many other. But for this assignment, I will

discuss the three main factors which is family background, language used in teaching and

learning and students’ attitude towards Mathematics.

Family background has a considerable influence on achievement in science and

mathematics education. Research indicates that certain types of parent

involvement, such as parental discussions with the children about school-related

topics, such as the importance of getting an education benefit students because

these students show higher rates of homework completion and academic

achievement in the middle and high school years. Apart from that, parent

involvement can be conceptualized as social capital. McNeal (1999) study found

that social capital which is parent involvement is associated with increased student

achievement. The evidence also indicates that there is a relationship between

parental aspirations and mathematics achievement and parental expectations are

important factors in shaping educational expectations. These findings speak to the

importance of family socioeconomic status about types of interactions at home

that support student learning. Research also shows that parent’s education was a

strong predictor of mathematics achievement, especially mother’s education and

resource availability is strongly related to parent’s ability to help their children

with school work.

Secondly, the language of instruction do influenced the achievement of Malaysian

students. Education in native languages is critical for children to achieve the level

of mental maturity, which is, to understand and build concepts in mathematics and

science constructively. This explanation is relevant in the context of the findings

of TIMSS, which shows the mathematics and science achievement of students

who use their mother tongue for teaching and learning mathematics and science

were higher on average compared to students who are studying in a foreign

language. This is because the native language helps students to understand science

and math concepts taught in school. All countries in the TIMSS study which its

students use their mother tongue in learning mathematics and science in schools

such as Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, England, U.S., Romania, and so

on, achieved higher scores on math and science.

Attitude is important in what we do so that we are committed in succeeding in

things we ventures. As for Malaysian student, majority of them have negatives

attitude towards Mathematics according to a study conducted in 2002. The

findings showed that a lack of student interest on mathematics subjects was

caused by the attitude of those who think mathematics is a difficult subject. This

negative perception caused them to give up the opportunity to receive such

subjects as an easy to understand. When students have negative perception of a

subject, they will find themselves not enjoying Mathematics class and

Mathematics lesson and are more likely to skip math class. Thus, this will cause

their interest in mathematics progressively reduced.

Apart from that, student will also be less competitive if they are lack of self

confidence. According to Ryan & Pintrich (1997) in their study found that

students who imagined themselves as a competent person in terms of cognitive

development is easier to ask for guidance from students who feel less competent.

Students who feel less competent will tend to refrain from requesting guidance.

This is because students who have high confidence in mathematics do not present

themselves as someone who needs guidance from the less confident.

3. What are possible solutions to the problem?

There are a few possible solutions that can be taken by the student to overcome this

problem.

Firstly, maintaining successful image. As we know, the mind can only focus on

one thing at a time. So we must maintain a successful image in our minds so that

we can motivate ourselves to achieve success.

Secondly, student should approach positive thinking friends. In general, students’

mind is easily filled with negative elements. It is because, students have to work

consciously to put a positive element in the mind. If students do not have the

effort to implement positive thinking in their mind, automatically the negative

element will fill their mind.

Next possible solutions are contrary from previous solution, student should stay

away from negative thinking friends. Refraining doesn’t mean the student should

left his or her negative thinking friends, but it means that the students should spent

less time with them and stay away from time wasting activities. Apart from that,

negative minded friends will also likely to influence you in giving up.

Next, what a student should do to overcome this problem is by manage their stress

effectively. A study had found that that peer pressure, parental pressure, the

importance of school and fear of failure is four significant factors for that

contribute to academic pressure. Although stress is something that is inevitable

when learning, students should be wise to control the pressure so that they can

stand on par with students from other nations.

4. What would happen if you solved the problem in each of these ways?

Solution

Maintaining successful image

Consequences

Positive

Student will feel

confident about

themselves.

Student will be

more focus in

doing tasks given.

Student will be a

role model among

their friends.

Negative

Some students

might only dream

of implementing

more executing

their dream.

Value

Accomplishment

Ambition

Commitment

Encouragement

Motivation

How can we make the solution better?

By motivating student and guiding them step by step so that they

don’t go off course.

Solution

Approach positive thinking friends

Consequences

Positive

Student will be

influenced to do

beneficial

activities.

Students will

have friends that

will motivate

them to achieve

greater in lives.

Implement the

importance of

sharing

knowledge.

Negative

None

Value

Optimism

Perseverance

Sharing

Guidance


By teaching our student the importance of sharing one’s

knowledge and give them endless support.

Solution

Stay away from negative thinking friends

Consequences

Positive

Student will not

be easily

influenced to do

useless activities.

Students will

eliminate person

that always bring

them down.

Negative

Their old friend

might felt left

behind and this

will affect their

friend

emotionally.

Value

Support

Self-reliance

Logic

Independence

Exuberance


By forming study groups that consist of both attitudes in groups

and encourage them to discussed the task given.

Solution

Manage stress well

Consequences

Positive

Student will feel

more relax hence

improving their

learning process.

Students will be

able to perform

their task well.

Negative

None.

Value

Diligence

Efficiency

Endurance

Focus

Zeal


By being concerned to the student development and encourage

them to be succesfull.