The Effect of Cognitively Guided Instruction on students’ Self-direction rate in Learning and Math Anxiety

Abstract

Abstract:Cognitively-guided instruction is an approach in math teaching based on metacognition which emphasizes discovery and uses language and conversation of math. CGI explains how the students can develop their math understanding while benefiting from a minimum prior math knowledge and interaction with other students. The present research is applied and quasi-experimental. Population of the research included fourth-graders in elementary school of the first district of Arak with a sample of 50 participants chosen via tow step clustered sampling to be put into two experimental and control groups. After conducting the pre-test of math anxiety, learning and instruction were conducted according to cognitively-guided instruction in five 45-minute sessions in the control group, and ordinarily in the experimental group. To investigate any change in learning factor, the students’ capability of math problem-solving were compared; to investigate anxiety, the Mathematics Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) was employed. To analyze results of Self-direction in learning, the expert analysis method, and to analyze data from the anxiety questionnaire, the Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used. The findings showed that the cognitively-guided instruction positively affected learning and recalling, and anxiety in math classes. This method facilitates learning and recalling of mathematics and reduces anxiety in math.

Keywords

• mathematic education
• cognitively-guided instruction
• self-direction
• math anxiety