Study on School Students’ Blended Learning Experiences and Mathematical Self-Concept during Covid-19

Abstract

The self-perception of one's mathematical abilities is a critical component that academics study to improve mathematics education. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of educational institutions used a blended learning method, specifically including both online and modular distance learning. This research investigated the contribution of blended learning experiences in mathematics to learners' self-perception of their mathematical abilities in the new learning environment. This research used deliberate sampling to select and conduct focus group conversations with ten (10) students studying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The data obtained underwent thematic analysis. The findings revealed that students' experiences of the teacher’s mastery of the topic, observations about learner-learner relations, the importance of rereading transcripts, and utilisation of internet-based resources fostered their mathematics self-perception, while their experiences such as inadequate teacher-student connections, distracting educational settings, clashes with domestic obligations, and sensations of solitude hindered it. The findings show that comprehending these encounters in this demanding educational setting presents a constant prospect for students to enhance their mathematical learning and their perception of their own ability to excel in the topic.

Keywords

• online and modular distance learning
• learning experiences
• mathematics self-perception
• STEM learners