The classroom environment and students' reports of avoidance strategies in mathematics: A multimethod study.

Students' attitudes towards mathematics in lower grades as an element of motivation for learning

“…An important condition for effective teaching is the selection of appropriate teaching content, work format, sources of knowledge, as well as increasing the motivation and activity of students (Lalić-Vučetić, 2016;Lungulov, 2010). Several studies (Kennedy, Tipps & Johnson, 2008: 56;Middleton & Spanias, 1999;Szabo-Thalmeiner, 2011;Turner et al, 2002) highlight the importance of motivation in teaching mathematics. Motivating students to learn in school is a topic of great concern for educationists today, and motivating students so that they can succeed in school is one of the greatest challenges of education.…”

“…If the child has not been discouraged but rather encouraged at home to search and explore, to try to learn and discover everything independently, the teacher can easily arouse interest in learning as well as in the subject (Kozeki, 1980: 253). The teacherʼs task is to stimulate the motivation of the students and to create an appropriate stimulating environment for initial teaching and learning (Lungulov, 2010: 295;Molnar et al, 2020;Skinner & Belmont, 1993;Turner et al, 2002). Effective teachers have long been familiar with the idea that learners learn more when they are active than when they just watch and listen (McKeachie, 2002;National Research Council, 2000).…”

“…Some students continue to conquer obstacles with great diligence and ease, but others become discouraged and regular work no longer seems as interesting for them (Jozsa, 2000). Research shows that as the school years progress, students' motivation steadily declines and they become bored with learning, and as a result they develop negative attitudes towards mathematics (Jozsa, 2001;Turner et al, 2002).…”

“…It is essential that questions are freely asked in the classroom and that pupils get answers to their questions. In a conducive learning environment, joy can be discovered not only when one finds the solution to a problem but during the process of learning (Kozeki, 1980;Turner et al, 2002). Focusing on motivation we may find ways to influence what the subjects want to do, not only how they try to achieve it.…”

“…The fundamental role of a teacher is to organise learning (creating effective learning situations) and to cooperate with students during learning (teacher-student partnership is required) (Lalović, 2009). The teacher must demonstrate a sincere, caring, nurturing attitude towards his/her students to help them overcome mathematical anxiety (Turner et al, 2002;Zakaria & Mohd Nordin, 2008).…”