In an 8-week online course, students studied topics including math anxiety, mindset, and memory formation. Students examined root causes of their math anxiety, strategies for dealing with these negative feelings, and explored mathematics applications. A comparison of pre- and post-course MSEAQ results showed an increase in reported self-efficacy regarding mathematics.
Math anxiety is the feeling of nervousness or fear that can create difficulty in learning or doing mathematics. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between math anxiety and math achievement. UNIV 1031 Math Study Skills is an 8-week online course in which students study topics including math anxiety, mindset, and memory formation. These students completed a video presentation describing a real-world application of mathematics. The idea behind the course is that students will examine root causes of their math anxiety, explore strategies for dealing with these negative feelings. The online setting contributes to a learning environment in which students become more empowered to share and discuss this information and, hence, to take steps to cope with and alleviate said anxiety. Students also explore real-world mathematics applications to acknowledge and develop an appreciation for the mathematics of every-day life. A comparison of pre- and post-course MSEAQ (Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Questionnaire) results showed an increase in reported self-efficacy regarding mathematics upon course completion. We believe components of this course could be generalized to other disciplines to aid struggling students.