Social perceptions of mathematics among jordanian higher education students

• Main Authors: Al Ali, R. M. A., Ghafar, M. N. A., Mofreh, S. A. M.
• Format: Article
• Published: Southeast Asian Association for Institutional Research 2016
• Subjects: LB Theory and practice of education
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/72556/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84964909249&partnerID=40&md5=47c4d551d0f3048457987fcd6f1ee929

This study aims to identify the students' perceptions of mathematics and to find out the existence of differences in the students' perceptions of mathematics by gender, residence and their interactions. The study sample consisted of 150 male and female first year students at Jordan universities. Social perceptions of mathematics questionnaire consisting of 36 items was developed. The results showed that the students' perceptions of mathematics on the questionnaire was positive and high, and there were no statistically significant differences in students' social perceptions toward mathematics by gender, residence and their interaction. Finally, the researcher recommended that teachers must give more importance to the emotional side of mathematics, creating remedial programs for students who have negative or low perceptions of mathematics.