Students' Difficulties in Learning Mathematics: A Case Study

Abstract

This study entitled "Students' difficulties in learning mathematics: A case study" is the emerging field of mathematics education in Nepal. The main objectives of this study were to explore the causes of difficulties faced by the students in learning mathematics and also to explore the ways to improve the interest of students in learning mathematics. The approach of this study was a case study under the qualitative research method. This study was bounded on Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tahachal and Sanothimi Campus, Bhaktapur. This study was only related to the students studying mathematics in B.Ed. and also, the respondents of the study were two mathematics teachers, six mathematics students, and their parents. Classroom observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis were used as tools of data collection. This study found that mathematics teaching-learning ways in the selected colleges were good but not excellent. All the students were taught based on equality rather than based on equity. Teachers did not teach the mathematical problems in connection with students’ daily life and also most of the teachers taught mathematics only based on exam-oriented. Also, this study found that misconception and pupil’s weak perception about mathematics subject, students not being able to spend enough time to learning mathematics at home, lack of students previous knowledge in subject matter, the learner does not have his interest, lack of teachers teaching technique, teachers should not teach the mathematical problems in connection with students’ daily life, teachers should not motivate the students to learn mathematics and teachers should always give priority only to the good students and not give opportunities to the weak students in the classroom are the main causes of students difficulties in learning mathematics. And also this study found that to use digital technology in the mathematics classroom, to teach mathematical problems in a practical way rather than theoretical way, to use cooperative learning method in the mathematics classroom, to motivate the students for mathematics learning in the classroom, to teach the mathematical problems in connection with students’ daily life, to conduct the national/school level awareness program about mathematics subject, to use the student-centered method in classroom are the main ways to improve the interest of students’ in learning mathematics.