In this thesis, I analyzed students' opinions about pre-learning in mathematics. Pre-learning is a new form of extra-curricular learning in which students pre-study materials before they come to their public school classes. This is currently causing t...
In this thesis, I analyzed students' opinions about pre-learning in mathematics. Pre-learning is a new form of extra-curricular learning in which students pre-study materials before they come to their public school classes. This is currently causing to increase private educational expenses and further the decay of the public education system. Via my survey, I analyzed student's opinions about pre-learning, the actual condition of pre-learning and the relation between variables caused in pre-learning in mathematics and attitudes regarding the study of mathematics. I also investigated the effects and values of pre-learning in mathematics.
On the basis of my survey, l made the following observations.
First, according to the research on the actual conditions of students' pre-learning in mathematics, 80% of the students had used pre-learning in mathematics in the last year, and most students have been educated in private academies. Also, most students answered that they began pre-learning for mathematics in high grad of elementary school, and generally the period of pre-learning precedes the public school's education system by about 3 months. During pre-learning, only the most common theories are taught without giving the students a clear and systematic understanding of the subject. And students thought that the part that they do not understand during pre-learning can be solved in regular school system if they remember it.
Second, it appeared that the motivation behind pre-learning came from the parents' requests, and the most common reason for pre-learning was concerned with worries about grade evaluations. Many students answered that whatever they did not learn during pre-learning could be restudied later, which helped them understand things in more detail. The most helpful pre-learning method is that students themselves make an effort and the primary factor aiding learning is to prepare and review the materials presented during pre-learning. This shows that students recognize the fact that was of no use without investing personal effort. Moreover, most students replied that they will continue to do pre-learning because students thought that mathematics pre-learning is generally the most helpful thing in maximizing their learning in the public school system. And students thought that mathematics pre-learning has a negative factor that they neglect their public education.
Third, as students understand mathematics deeply in pre-learning, they have more confidence and interest in the study of mathematics, and they are also imbued with a sense of purpose and achievement. But, this was not much related to the degree of understanding of pre-learning and interest, concentration, and efficient mind for the subject. When they began pre-learning with their interest, efficient and active mind was the best. Otherwise, a sense of purpose, interest, confidence and achievement motive in mathematics study are shown worse when they do pre-learning with worry. This survey has shown that it's most effective when they study pre-learning chapters faster than public education.
In conclusion, lots of students do pre-learning, but it is unself-directed pre-learning. Also, they study pre-learning for only raising score without enough prerequisite learning. However, this survey shows that it could be possible for students to get positive effect if they study pre-learning by themselves with review and not too much pre-learning.