Creator

Joseph Champion

Advisor

Powers, Robert A

Committee Member

Blubaugh, William

Committee Member

Harding-DeKam, Jennifer

Committee Member

Allison, Dean

Department

Mathematics

Institution

University of Northern Colorado

Type of Resources

Text

Place of Publication

Greeley (Colo.)

Publisher

University of Northern Colorado

Date Created

5-1-2010

Genre

Thesis

Extent

238 pages

Digital Origin

Born digital

Description

Social cognitive research has linked students' perceived academic capabilities, or self-efficacy, to academic choices, self-regulation, and performance in diverse contexts from reading comprehension to mathematical problem solving. This study addressed a need to investigate the interactions among prior achievement, self-efficacy, calibration (the accuracy of self-efficacy beliefs), and mathematics performance for students enrolled in the content courses of a secondary mathematics teaching program. The sample included 195 students in 12 classes ranging from calculus to second-semester abstract algebra at a mid-sized U.S. doctoral-granting university with a large secondary mathematics teacher education program. Data included background surveys, self-efficacy ratings preceding final exams, completed final exams, and transcripts of interviews with 10 secondary mathematics majors. Data analysis utilized structural equation modeling, analysis of variance, and thematic coding. Findings from both quantitative and qualitative analyses suggested participants' perceptions of their prior math performance, together with strong self-efficacy and slight overconfidence, were most associated with increased final exam performance. The discussion includes potential implications of the study for the content preparation of secondary mathematics teachers.

Notes

Dean's Citation for Excellence

Degree type

PhD

Degree Name

Doctoral

Language

English

Local Identifiers

Champion_unco_0161N_10028

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

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