Date of Graduation
Spring 2016
Degree
Master of Science in Education in Secondary Education in Mathematics
Department
Mathematics
Committee Chair
Gay Ragan
Abstract
With the advances being made in technology, our nation is in dire need of a work force degreed with mathematics and science. In the past few decades, the United States has seen a decline in the proportion of college graduates who majored in mathematics-intensive subjects. If our demand is high, why is our supply decreasing? Research suggests that traditional teaching methods using skills-based curricula make it difficult for students to take an interest in a confusing topic like mathematics in which they see no immediate relevance. I have spent a semester engaged in action research taking steps to increase student engagement in the mathematics classroom by helping them find the relevance to their daily lives. Activities were selected with special attention on including real world problems that address common interests of the students. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data indicate that that students do prefer activities relevant to their everyday lives to traditional skills-based practice. Through the use of these activities, the students gained academic knowledge and improved their attitudes toward learning and using mathematics.
Keywords
learning, mathematics education, teaching, action research, real-world problems, student attitudes, relevance, engagement
Subject Categories
Science and Mathematics Education
Copyright
© Cherie Lynn Burkett
Recommended Citation
Burkett, Cherie Lynn, "Using Relevance To Inspire Engagement In Disengaged Secondary Mathematics Students" (2016). MSU Graduate Theses. 1912.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1912
