Students’ Attitudes, Engagement and Confidence in Mathematics and Statistics Learning: ICT, Gender, and Equity Dimensions

Abstract

In this chapter the findings of five studies are reported. Two research instruments were used: the Mathematics and Technology Attitudes Scale (MTAS), and the Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics Scale (SATS). The aims,methods, data analyses, selected findings and conclusions are presented, as well as implications for the teaching and learning of mathematics and statistics. The studies involved sam- ples fromAustralia and Greece. Findings from the threeMTAS studies revealed that there is a complex nexus of relationships between secondary mathematics students’ mathematics confidence, confidence with technology, attitude to learning mathemat- ics with technology, affective engagement and behavioural engagement, achieve- ment, and gender. Findings from the SATS studies indicated that male Greek tertiary students had more positive attitudes toward statistics than female students; therewas no gender gap for the Australian tertiary students. Secondary students’ attitudes to- wards ICT use for mathematics learning require further scrutiny in order to bring about gender equity and to facilitate improved outcomes for all students. Gender and cultural sensitivity are paramount in the instructional planning, decision mak- ing, and implementation of secondary mathematics and tertiary statistics.