Honors Theses: Education

Subscribe to RSS Feed (Opens in New Window)

Honors Theses: Education Session
2016
Thursday, April 21st
11:30 AM

Causes of Math Anxiety

Emma Schell, Murray State University

Barkley Room, Curris Center

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Math is a subject that is taught every year from kindergarten through 12th grade and it continues throughout higher education. It is one of the most important subjects in school, yet it is often the most feared and disliked by students. According to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), in 2012, the United States scored lower than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average on math scores, which was lower than 29 education systems. Research shows that students are accepting failure in mathematics due to math anxiety and societal pressures. (Latterell 2005). Unfortunately, there are many negative effects of math anxiety, including avoidance, low self-efficacy in mathematics, and poor performance (Ashcraft, 2002). To minimize the effects of math anxiety, it is crucial for educators to know why the math anxiety was developed within their students.

Through a collection of current literature and interviews with college students who have math anxiety to understand their full experience with mathematics, this study aims to conclude what causes math anxiety in our students. When educators determine the causes of the math anxiety, they need the tools and resources to help students overcome or reduce their math anxiety. This study also explores suggestions for what teachers can do to help their students with math anxiety be successful in mathematics.

11:30 AM

Communication and its Impact on Retention at the Post Secondary Level

Jason P. Esau, Murray State University

Barkley Room, Curris Center

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

As students enter a post secondary educational setting, they experience a wide range of experiences and emotions. Making the decision to return to said institution the following semester is vital to the well-being of both the student and the institution, and communication theory can help diagnose and explain how this process works.

11:30 AM

Effects of Title IX Today

Jarred M. Koerner, Murray State University

Barkley Room, Curris Center

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the current status of Title IX and its effects and impact in the athletic setting. This paper will discuss how Title IX evolved and how school institutions are meeting the requirements of the new code. This paper will also examine both landmark and significant cases that have helped mold the current state of issue. It is concluded by addressing flaws in Title IX which may cause some men's sports to be overly competitive while also diminishing the competitive setting of women's sports.