SELF-REGULATION AND MATH ATTITUDES: EFFECTS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL MATH COURSES

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship among math attitudes, self-regulated learning, and course outcomes in developmental math. Math attitudes involved perceived usefulness of math and math anxiety. Self-regulated learning represented the ability of students to control cognitive, metacognitive, and behavioral aspects of learning. The sample consisted of 376 students who were enrolled in developmental math courses at a community college. Although participants perceived math as fairly relevant to their lives, they did not experience much math anxiety. Participants were somewhat likely to engage in self-regulated learning, but the rates were not particularly high. Of the five self-regulated learning scales (metacognitive self-regulation, effort regulation, environmental management, peer help, and study strategies), students were most likely to regulate their effort and structure their learning environment. Findings from independent samples t-tests, one-way analyses of variance, and correlation analyses highlighted differences in math attitudes, self-regulated learning, and math outcomes based on demographic variables. First generation and part-time college students and students with dependents perceived math as more useful than their counterparts. Continuing generation and part-time students experienced higher levels of math anxiety than first generation and full-time students. Students who were female, non-traditional aged, married or divorced/separated, and those who had dependents were more likely to engage in self-regulatory strategies than their peers. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine a) the influence of math attitudes on self-regulated learning and b) the influence of self-regulated learning on final course grades in developmental math. Results indicated that attitudes toward math significantly predicted self-regulated learning and that self-regulated learning significantly predicted final course grades. Students who used self-regulatory strategies earned higher grades in developmental math courses. The results have implications for educational policy and practice. Developmental education programs should include instruction on self-regulatory strategies and should consider supplementing cognitive assessment measures with non-cognitive factors in order to better predict readiness for college coursework and academic potential.