An Analysis of the Factors that Motivate Albanian Students to Learn Mathematics

Abstract

We all know the importance of mathematics in life, despite that some students want to learn mathematics while others won’t. Some of them seem to have motivation in learning new mathematics knowledge while others don’t. So, the questions we raise are: Why some students want to learn mathematics while others won’t? Which are the factors that motivate students to learn mathematics? Why they aren’t similarly motivated?

The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors influencing student’s motivation in learning mathematics. A comparison across study fields is made to identify which factors they have stated as more important, are those factors extrinsic or intrinsic ones. The findings reported that across gender we don’t have differences. Data findings confirm that our students are more motivated by extrinsic factors then by intrinsic factors. Further, the measurement of attitudes is done using an adapted short version of the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory (short ATMI). Reporting that exists significant differences across study fields.

Keywords: Motivating factors, ATMI, Mathematics education

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-7-02

Publication date: June 30th 2024