Identifying Mathematics Anxiety Through Automated Process (IMATAP): A Web-Based Screening Tool for Teachers

Abstract

Mathematics anxiety (MA) is considered a potential barrier to success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. A good number of students around the globe are terrified of mathematics. They do whatever they can to avoid math or math-related subjects. Therefore, the early identification of MA and its underlying factors is crucial in initiating timely interventions that can enhance positive attitudes in math, boost math performance, minimize math avoidance, and motivate students to pursue math-related careers. In this paper, we have presented a unique, multifaceted, and complete web-based MA screening tool called identifying mathematics anxiety through an automated process (IMATAP) to assess MA, its severity, and its deficiency. This assessment provides a detailed explanation of developing MA and helps teachers, parents, educators, and researchers design need-based intervention techniques (personalized or cluster-based) to reduce MA, which will ultimately help math-anxious students overcome math fear. Over the past two years (2021–2022), IMATAP has been successfully implemented in nine different primary and secondary level institutions in Bangladesh. Findings revealed that the effectiveness of the IMATAP system has been appreciated and highly accepted by both students and teachers.