Peer Mentoring: It’s Effect on Students’ Mathematics Performance, Attitudes and Epistemological Learning Beliefs in Mathematics

Abstract

This study is conducted in the fact that non-passer in the College Entrance Test (CET) may not be able to pass the Maritime Schools Assessment Program (MSAP) examination; thus, peer mentoring was utilized. The investigation focused on the performance, epistemological beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics among maritime transportation students. Thirty students that were selected randomly were gathered in the program and were divided into fifteen pairs. Each pair had an assigned mentor that was selected purposively.The students’ performance and attitudes towards mathematics were measured using a researchers’ made 50 item pre and posttest multiple choice questionnaire and a researchers’ made attitudes instrument respectively; pilot – tested, validated and reliability-tested. Schommer’s Epistemological Belief Questionnaire was used to assess their epistemological learning beliefs. Frequency count and means were the descriptive statistical tools and paired sample t-test and Pearson’s r set at .05 Alpha levels are the inferential statistical tools. Results showed “low” pre and “high” post mathematics performance. Simple knowledge, certainty of knowledge and omniscient authority are best possessed by the participants for the epistemological learning beliefs. Positive attitudes towards mathematics manifested in both pre and post attitudes of the participants. There is a significant difference between the pretest and posttest mathematics performance and between pre-attitudes and post attitudes towards mathematics of the participants. There is no significant relationship between mathematics performance, attitudes, and epistemological learning beliefs. Sustainability of the program, the conduct of similar studies, continuing training and re-training of student mentors and financial support to those who rendered their services as mentors are highly recommended. Keywords- Peer mentoring, mathematics performance, epistemological learning beliefs, attitudes, descriptive design, experimental design, Iloilo City, Philippines.