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International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education

International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education
Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study
Angelos Giannoulas 1, Aglaia Stampoltzis 1 2 *
1 Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), GREECE2 Hellenic Open University, GREECE
* Corresponding Author
APA
In-text citation: (Giannoulas & Stampoltzis, 2021)
Reference: Giannoulas, A., & Stampoltzis, A. (2021). Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 16(2), em0639. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/10906
AMA
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Giannoulas A, Stampoltzis A. Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2021;16(2), em0639. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/10906
Chicago
In-text citation: (Giannoulas and Stampoltzis, 2021)
Reference: Giannoulas, Angelos, and Aglaia Stampoltzis. "Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education 2021 16 no. 2 (2021): em0639. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/10906
Harvard
In-text citation: (Giannoulas and Stampoltzis, 2021)
Reference: Giannoulas, A., and Stampoltzis, A. (2021). Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 16(2), em0639. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/10906
MLA
In-text citation: (Giannoulas and Stampoltzis, 2021)
Reference: Giannoulas, Angelos et al. "Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study". International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, vol. 16, no. 2, 2021, em0639. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/10906
Vancouver
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Giannoulas A, Stampoltzis A. Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Mathematics by Greek Engineering Students at University: An Exploratory Study. INT ELECT J MATH ED. 2021;16(2):em0639. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/10906

Abstract

Mathematics is a constituent of the education of Engineering students. This paper reports on a study investigating the attitudes and perceptions towards mathematics of first year Engineering students. The sample consisted of 145 freshmen (80 men and 65 women) from one Greek university, derived from three Engineering departments (Mechanical, Electrical and Civil). A two-part questionnaire with satisfactory reliability in each part was completed by the participants. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations and exploratory factor analysis. The data analysis led to nine factors which shape and mediate students’ mathematical attitudes and perceptions. These factors are: Anxiety, Confidence, Learning goals, Theory of intelligence, Persistence, Approach, Learning strategies, Prior experience and General issues. Demographic variables (sex, age, learning disability and choice of study) are found to have an effect on students’ attitudes and perceptions. The findings of this study need to be viewed in relation to the redesign of the Engineering Mathematics curriculum to teach effectively all students and raise their mathematical confidence and motivation.

Keywords

engineering mathematics attitudes perceptions university students learning disability

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