Mindset in Mathematics

Grades 7 and 8 were surveyed using the introductory questions from the Stanford EdX course "How to Learn Math: for Students". There were 22 responses. E-mail addresses were collected to facilitate possible targeted follow-up. Students were told that this was to help my study (I showed them the course), and to answer honestly.

The questions fall into three broad categories - attitude towards maths (enjoy or not), perception of ability, and opinion about the nature of maths.

Summary

Roughly 60% of students enjoy maths and don't find it boring, though only 30-40% enjoy being challenged to solve difficult problems.

40-50% of students believe there are people who are naturally good at mathematics, and that there isn't much you can do to become one of them. Presumably they feel that more effort would enable them to do well without becoming a maths person.

40-50% of students characterised mathematics as a subject where it was important to remember methods, though most also saw it as creative and with many interconnected ideas.

50-60% of students expressed negative self-perception of mathematical ability in most such questions, though 60% believe they can do well, rising to a massive 90% who believe they can do well if they make enough effort. This is quite a surprise to me, and very encouraging.

 

Overall, roughly half of respondents feel positively about mathematics, and do not agree with the typical negative stereotype answers that might dominate in a western classroom. The next step is to target the other half.