Problems and Difficulties Encountered by Students Towards Mastering Learning Competencies in Mathematics

ABSTRACT

This study determined and analysed the problems and difficulties encountered by

Bachelor of Elementary Education sophomore students towards mastering learning

competencies in mathematics. The problems and difficulties are categorized into personal

problems, emotional problems, problems on teacher’s instruction, problems with school

adjustment, problems in adjusting to classmates and boardmates, and problems arising

from over-extended schedule/workloads for practice in different competitions.

Using the descriptive-survey method and frequency count and percentage, findings

revealed that, in general, the respondents encountered personal problems relating to

school expenses, lack of interest and negative attitude towards the subject. The emotional

problems encountered are excessive stress in doing academic tasks and low self-esteem or

not believing in one’s capabilities. On problems relating to teacher’s instruction, these are

no effective motivation and introduction, and not creative enough to adapt his/her method

to the learner’s capability. As to problems with school adjustment, the most frequent are

difficulty in adjusting to life/role of a college student, and not doing the tasks well. The

problems in adjusting to classmates/boardmates are how to be accepted by classmates and

boardmates, and working effectively with different kinds of classmates. With regard to

problems arising from over-extended schedule/workloads for practice in different

competitions, the most common problems are too many academic tasks and projects

assigned, and studying and reviewing too many subjects every day.

Keywords: problems, learning competencies, strategies, motivation, instruction.

-Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce ■E-ISSN2229-4686■ISSN2231-4172

International Refereed Research Journal ■www.researchersworld.com■Vol.–V, Issue – 4, Oct. 2014 [26]

INTRODUCTION:

It is commonly accepted that math is difficult, obscure, and of little interest to certain...