Open AccessTransition from Primary to Secondary School Mathematics: Students’ Perceptions
Author(s) -
Catherine Attard
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
southeast asian mathematics education journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2721-8546
pISSN - 2089-4716
DOI - 10.46517/seamej.v2i1.16
Subject(s) - mathematics education , perception , school teachers , transition (genetics) , pedagogy , psychology , chemistry , biochemistry , neuroscience , gene
During a longitudinal case study on engagement in Australian middle school years mathematics, 20 students in their first year of secondary school in Western Sydney, New South Wales, were asked about their experiences of the transition to secondary school in relation to their experiences of mathematics teaching and learning. Changes and disruptions in teacher-student relationships were a major cause of concern. This was due to fewer opportunities for teacher-student interactions and a heavy usage of computer-based mathematics lessons during the first months of secondary school. Findings indicate that a strong pedagogical relationship is a critical foundation for sustained engagement in mathematics during the middle years.