Examining Attitudinal Traits and Geometry Achievement of the Pre-service Teachers

Abstract

The performance of students in geometry has been consistently linked with attitude. Some attitudinal constructs (enjoyment, confidence and usefulness) and their link with pre – service teachers’ achievement in geometry are investigated in this study. This quantitative study employed a questionnaire on the enjoyment, confidence, and usefulness of geometry together with a test on geometry, in order to take data from pre – service teachers. A systematic sampling of 225 pre – service mathematics teachers in second year made up the participants of this study. The results showed that confidence, enjoyment and usefulness were all positive and this indicated a positive attitude of pre – service teachers toward geometry. There was also a negative relationship between their attitude and their performance. However, multiple regression analysis indicated that Confidence was the highest predictor of achievement followed by enjoyment and usefulness.