Exploring Peer Effect on Mathematics Anxiety among Secondary School Students of Sokoto State, Nigeria through Photovoice Approach
Aliyu Garba 1 * , Norulhuda Ismail 2, Sharifah Osman 2, Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli 2
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1 Sokoto State University Nigeria, Faculty of Education, Science Education Department, NIGERIA2 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, School of Education, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, MALAYSIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Mathematics anxiety is prevalent in Nigeria where students have a fear of the subject. Much research has been conducted on the level of mathematics anxiety, the differences between the genders, and its relationship with performance. However, little has been done on the factors for mathematics anxiety, and even less on peers’ contribution towards mathematics anxiety. The photovoice approach was applied to capture peers’ speech and behaviour, which can intensify or minimize mathematics anxiety. The findings revealed that peers’ behaviour, such as poor students causing trouble and intelligent students dominating the lesson, and speech, such as using frightening and discouraging statements in the mathematics classroom, has a direct effect on intensifying mathematics anxiety. However, the findings also showed that peer behaviour, such as achievement of peers and group discussions, and speech, such as positive advice, also minimize mathematics anxiety among students. It can be concluded that peers in their day-to-day interaction can have an effect on students’ mathematics anxiety.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 16, Issue 2, February 2020, Article No: em1815

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/112622

Publication date: 28 Oct 2019

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Article Downloads: 4675

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