Predicting academic performance in mathematics with NASA-TLX: A brief study in 15-year-old students in Spain

This study examined the connectivity between academic performance in English, Mathematics, and Accounting within a cohort of 182 regular 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) students in a System of Private Higher Education Institutions during the Academic Years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. This study used secondary data to measure academic performance across these three disciplines through students' grades in specific courses. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression analysis were employed to describe the respondents’ academic performance and assess the relationship and influence of academic performance in English and Mathematics on their academic performance in Accounting. The findings revealed that most respondents exhibit “Excellent” academic performance in English, “Very Good” academic performance in Mathematics, and “Below Average” academic performance in Accounting. Significant positive correlation and influence were identified between the variables under study. Specifically, respondents’ academic performance in English accounted for approximately 10.8% of the variance in their academic performance in Accounting, while academic performance in Mathematics accounted for about 8.08%. These results highlighted the foundational role of English and Mathematics in mastering Accounting. Furthermore, focus group discussions provided qualitative insights, revealing discrepancies between perceived and actual academic performance in English. They emphasized the importance of both English and Mathematics in understanding and applying accounting principles and standards, including knowledge of auditing, taxation, and business laws and regulations. The discussions also stressed the essential role of educational support structures in enhancing academic performance. Overall, the study suggested a need for integrated educational strategies that strengthen these foundational skills to prepare students more effectively for the academic demands of the BS in Accountancy program.

Conventional teaching method alone cannot enhance the mathematical creativity and thinking skills needed in the 21st Century. Therefore, modern teaching methods are needed to facilitate students’ problem-solving skills. This study examined the effect of the problem-based learning (PBL) approach on students’ academic performance in senior secondary Mathematics. The pretest-posttest control, quasi-experimental design, was adopted in the study. An intact class of Senior Secondary School (II) Mathematics students (108) from two randomly Selected Senior Secondary schools in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria, were used selected. Four null hypotheses were formulated and tested using Analysis of Covariance at the alpha level of 0.05. Results revealed that problem-based learning approach enhanced students’ academic performance in Mathematics (F1, 108= 7.130; p = (.009) < .05). It also revealed that gender has no main effect on the academic performance of students (F1, 108= .051; p = (.821) > .05). In addition, there was no significant interaction effect of PBL and gender on students’ academic performance in Mathematics (F1, 108= .000; p = (.985) > .05), and; there is a significant main effect of PBL on the quantitative ability of students (F1, 108= 6.756; p = (.010) < .05). It was recommended that stakeholders in education and the government need to train and retrain teachers on adopting the PBL approach in Mathematics classrooms to enhance students’ academic performance.

The flipped classroom approach allows students to watch teacher-made video lessons outside classes on an online platform called Edpuzzle, answer embedded questions, and perform tasks before synchronous class. The study assessed the academic performance and engagement in Mathematics of Grade 10 students through the flipped classroom (FC) in a synchronous learning environment. It aimed to a) ascertain students' academic performance in Mathematics, b). determine the level of students’ engagement in Mathematics in terms of; cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social engagement; c) determine if there is a significant difference between the academic performance of students in Mathematics; and d) examine the significant difference between the level of engagement of students in Mathematics. This study used the quasi-experimental research design. It was conducted at Valencia National High School with the Grade 10 students as participants. The student's academic performance and engagement in Mathematics were gathered using validated instruments to answer the research problems. Results showed that students' mean academic performance in both groups were very low in the pre-test. However, in the post-test, FC group showed an increase in performance, making to the high level, and non-FC group showed a slight increase making it to a low level. Although there has been a slight increase in the mean of the FC group in their engagement, both groups showed positive engagement toward Mathematics. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a significant difference in students' academic performance in terms of post-test, while no significant difference was found in their engagement in Mathematics. Students in the FC group performed better in the post-test. However, both groups were comparably engaged in learning Mathematics.

This study was conducted to determine whether cognitive load and test-taking skills are correlates of academic performance in mathematics of Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) Science students, University of Benin, Benin City. The study was hinged on Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) and Cognitive Social Learning Theory (CSLT). CLT was developed by Sweller (1988) while CSLT was developed by Bandura (1977, 1986). To guide this study, three research questions were raised which were also hypothesized and tested at 0.05 significant level. Survey design with correlational approach was adopted for the study. The population of the study consists of 82 JUPEB science students. The sample of the study was also 82 students as the population was small. Data was collected using an adapted instrument which was modified and titled “JUPEB Students’ Cognitive Load and Test-taking Skills Questionnaire (JSCLTSQ)”. The instrument was content-validated. Three experts from the Department of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology made some corrections and suggestions which were incorporated into the final copy and thereafter certified valid for use for the study. The instrument was trial-tested on 20 students and the reliability was determined using the Cronbach Alpha statistics which yielded coefficients of 0.85 and 0.81 for the two subscales respectively. The three (3) hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correction Coefficient statistics. The findings revealed that cognitive load has a low inverse relationship with academic performance in mathematics while test-taking skills has a positive relationship with academic performance in mathematics. Cognitive load and test-taking skills are jointly correlated with academic performance in mathematics. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made. One of such recommendations is that tutors of JUPEB University of Benin need constant attendance in seminars and workshops funded by the government and the school management on various cognitive load issues and effective test-taking strategies. Keywords: Cognitive load, Test Taking Skills, Academic Performance

This study aimed to explore the effect of teachers’ motivation on students’ academic performance in mathematics in public lower day secondary schools in Rwanda, specifically the case of Kirehe district. The study had three specific objectives which were to determine the influence of recognition and rewards of teachers on students’ academic performance in mathematics in public lower day secondary schools in Kirehe District, to determine the influence of in-service training of teachers in improving academic performance of students in mathematics in public lower day secondary schools in Kirehe District, to investigate the influence of teachers’ remuneration and incentives on students’ academic performance in mathematics in public lower day secondary schools in Kirehe District. The results of this study will support the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), along with its bodies NESA and REB, which are responsible for monitoring and evaluating the academic performance of secondary schools, in making informed decisions on initiatives to address challenges faced by teachers and school management. Findings of this study will also enrich the existing knowledge and literature on teacher motivation, primarily benefiting academicians. One theoretical frame work, Self-Determination Theory underpinned and supported this research. In this research, descriptive survey design for quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis were implied. The study gathered data through questionnaires and interview guides. Specifically, the questionnaires were made for Mathematics teachers while interview guides were designed for deputy head teachers and school head teachers. The study’s target population was 348 respondents made of 232 Mathematics teachers from Public lower day secondary schools, 58 deputy head teachers and 58 school head teachers from all public lower day secondary schools in Kirehe district, Rwanda. The selection of the participants for this study employed various methods, including both simple random and purposive sampling techniques. A sample size of 186 was chosen by using Yamane formula. The quantitative and qualitative data analysis in terms of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlational analysis, Regression analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Regression Coefficient involved the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS 22.0) where each item from the questionnaires and interview guides was systematically categorized. Subsequently, the analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between students' academic performance in mathematics and teacher’s recognition and rewards (r = .901, p = .000). This suggests that when teachers are recognized and rewarded for their efforts, it positively impacts student achievement in mathematics. Additionally, a moderately strong positive correlation was found between students ‘academic performance in mathematics and in-service training of teachers (r = .701, p = .000). This implies that providing teachers with ongoing training and professional development opportunities contributes to improved student outcomes in mathematics. Finally, a moderately strong positive correlation was observed between students ‘academic performance in mathematics and teacher remuneration and incentives (r = .757, p = .000). This suggests that compensating teachers fairly and providing them with incentives can positively influence their effectiveness and, consequently, student achievement. The analysis demonstrates that all three teacher related factors: recognition and rewards, in-service training, and remuneration and incentives are significantly correlated with students' academic performance in mathematics in public lower day secondary schools in Kirehe district. To measure the results reliability, test and retest all methods were used in measurement of the reliability. The supervisor reviewed all data collection instruments items before the administration of data collection to ensure it validity. The research concluded by providing recommendations based on the findings of the study.

The research investigated school administrative practices and student academic performance in mathematics in technical secondary schools in Rwanda. Specifically, the research evaluates the school administrative practices that affect the students’ academic performance in mathematics in technical secondary schools in Rwanda, determines the level of student academic performance in mathematics in technical secondary schools in Rwanda, and analyses the relationship between school administrative practices and the students’ academic performance in mathematics in technical secondary schools in Rwanda. The targeted population was 7,549, for a sample of 481 respondents. This study used primary sources namely questionnaires and interviews to gather data. It employed purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling methods. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used for analysis from IBM SPSS Version 21.0. For the first objective, results indicates that 83.3% of Teachers agree and 10.2 % agreed that Resource allocation and management show the school administration practices, and 73.1 % strongly agreed and 11.5 % agreed that Lead teaching and learning , 71.8% strongly agreed and 20.5 % agreed that The Link the school with other organisations show the school administration practices, 61.5 % strongly agreed and 21.8 % agreed that Driven data decision-making indicates the school administration practices and 62.22% strongly agreed and 21.8 agreed that Resource allocation and management indicates the school administration practices. For the second objective, 88.5% strongly agreed and 11.5% agreed that An increased score in the test and exam indicates the student's academic performance in mathematics,76.9% Strongly agreed and 11.5 agreed that Apply mathematical knowledge to solve complex problems and improve student academic performance in mathematics, 66.9% Strongly agreed and 23.1% agreed that Increased student participation in math class increases student academic performance in mathematics and 65.4% Strongly agreed and 23.1% agreed that Attendance and homework completion affect student academic performance in mathematics. Results on the relationship between school administrative practices and the students’ academic performance in mathematics in technical secondary schools in Rwanda. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between engaging stakeholders, leading teaching and learning, and linking the school with other organizations. Resource allocation and management and setting direction, with an increased score in the test and exam, apply mathematical knowledge to solve complex problems, increased student participation in math class, attendance, and homework completion rates, and that they were positively and statistically correlated since most of their levels of significance were greater than 0.05 in association. It is recommended that teachers' quality, classroom environment, and parental involvement positively impact academic performance. Smaller classroom sizes and higher teacher-student interaction are associated with higher achievement. Resources like textbooks, technology, and laboratory equipment also contribute to better academic performance, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between motor skills, exercise capacity and cognitive functions, and evaluate how they correlate to academic performance in mathematics and reading comprehension using standardised, objective tests.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 423 Danish children (age: 9.29±0.35 years, 209 girls). Fine and gross motor skills were evaluated in a visuomotor accuracy-tracking task, and a whole-body coordination task, respectively. Exercise capacity was estimated from the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 children's test (YYIR1C). Selected tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were used to assess different domains of cognitive functions, including sustained attention, spatial working memory, episodic and semantic memory, and processing speed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate associations between these measures and the relationship with standard tests of academic performance in mathematics and reading comprehension.ResultsBoth fine and gross motor skills were associated with better performance in all five tested cognitive domains (all P<0.001), whereas exercise capacity was only associated with better sustained attention (P<0.046) and spatial working memory (P<0.038). Fine and gross motor skills (all P<0.001), exercise capacity and cognitive functions such as working memory, episodic memory, sustained attention and processing speed were all associated with better performance in mathematics and reading comprehension.ConclusionsThe data demonstrate that fine and gross motor skills are positively correlated with several aspects of cognitive functions and with academic performance in both mathematics and reading comprehension. Moreover, exercise capacity was associated with academic performance and performance in some cognitive domains. Future interventions should investigate associations between changes in motor skills, exercise capacity, cognitive functions, and academic performance to elucidate the causality of these associations.

This study employed a non-experimental quantitative research design using a descriptive-correlational approach to examine the influence of self-regulated learning on students' academic performance in Mathematics. A sample of 69 Grade 10 students from St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc. in Davao del Norte was selected through stratified sampling during the 2021–2022 school year. Two sets of survey questionnaires were administered: an adapted survey to assess self-regulated learning and a validated researcher-made test to measure academic performance in Mathematics. Statistical tools such as Mean, Pearson-r, and Multiple Linear Regression were used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that students' self-regulated learning is evident in most instances, while their academic performance in Mathematics, as reflected in summative assessment scores, was generally satisfactory but did not consistently meet expectations. The study revealed no significant relationship between self-regulated learning and academic performance in Mathematics, and no specific domains of self-regulated learning were found to significantly influence students' performance in the subject. Based on these results, it is recommended that further research explore additional variables related to self-regulated learning and academic performance in Mathematics to identify critical factors affecting student outcomes. The findings are valuable for students, mathematics teachers, school administrators, and future researchers as they work to enhance the educational system, evaluate online learning implementation, and develop strategies to improve students' academic performance. KEYWORDS: Education, mathematics, self-regulated learning, academic performance, descriptive-correlational approach, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines

Positive associations exist between physical activity, cognition, and academic performance in children and adolescents. Further research is required to examine which factors underpin the relationships between physical activity and academic performance. This systematic review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize findings of studies examining relationships between motor proficiency and academic performance in mathematics and reading in typically developing school-aged children and adolescents. A systematic search of electronic databases was performed to identify relevant studies. Fifty-five eligible articles were critically appraised and key data was extracted and synthesized. Findings support associations between several components of motor proficiency and academic performance in mathematics and reading. There was evidence that fine motor proficiency was significantly and positively associated with academic performance in mathematics and reading, particularly during the early years of school. Significant positive associations were also evident between academic performance and components of gross motor proficiency, specifically speed and agility, upper-limb coordination, and total gross motor scores. Preliminary evidence from a small number of experimental studies suggests motor skill interventions in primary school settings may have a positive impact on academic performance in mathematics and/or reading. Future research should include more robust study designs to explore more extensively the impact of motor skill interventions on academic performance.

Students' online learning environment and academic resilience are indicators of academic success in online learning. This study determined the level of perception in an online learning environment and academic resilience concerning students' performance in Mathematics among Junior High School students at Misamis University, Ozamis City, during the first quarter of the school year 2021-2022. The researchers used the descriptive-correlational research design. The respondents were 148 Junior High School students chosen by simple random sampling. The instruments used were the Students' Online Learning Environment Questionnaire (SOLEQ) and the Students' Academic Resilience Questionnaire (SARQ). Mean, standard deviation, Pearson r, and Stepwise Regression Analysis were the statistical tools used. Findings revealed that students had a high level of perception in their online learning environment and had high academic resilience in their online learning. They performed very satisfactorily in their online class. There was a significant relationship between the students' online learning environment in terms of computer usage, teacher support, and student autonomy and their academic performance in Mathematics. In the students' online learning environment, there was no significant relationship between the other variables and their academic achievement in Mathematics. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the students' academic resilience and their academic performance in Mathematics. Computer Usage predicted students' academic performance in Mathematics. Teachers need to be technologically proficient in using technology as an educational tool. School administrators conduct online seminars, trainings, and workshops regarding technical literacy. Future researchers must look into other factors contributing to the student's academic performance in online learning.

PurposeThe study’s objective was to ascertain the connection between secondary school students' test anxiety, academic self-concept, motivation and academic performance in mathematics. The difference between the academic performances of male and female secondary school students who exhibit high and low test anxiety, academic self-concept and motivation levels in mathematics.Design/methodology/approachFour hypotheses and four research questions were adopted. The design is a correlation. 42,299 mathematics students in senior school year two (SS2) made up the research population. A sample of 1,650 students was selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The main instruments used were the Mathematics Test Anxiety Questionnaire (MTAQ), Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASQ) and Academic Motivation Questionnaire (AMQ) and students’ math scores. These instruments were validated by three experts and the reliability coefficients of 0.69, 0.68 and 0.68 were obtained for MTAQ, ASQ and AMQ, respectively, using Cronbach alpha. Pearson product moment correlation was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe study’s results showed a correlation between secondary school students' academic performance in mathematics and test anxiety, academic self-concept and motivation. There was a significant difference between secondary school male and female students' test anxiety; there was a significant difference between secondary school male and female students' self-concept and academic performance in mathematics, and there was a significant difference between secondary school male and female students' motivation and academic performance in mathematics.Originality/valueThe major contribution of this study is to investigate the connection between test anxiety, academic self-concept motivation and students’ mathematics performance. There is a difference between psychological variables, gender and mathematics performance.

This research focused on examining the influence of teacher qualifications on students’ academic performance in mathematics at public boarding secondary schools in Rwanda’s Rubavu District. It aimed to identify which teacher qualifications in mathematics impact students’ math performance, analyze how teacher qualifications affect math performance, and investigate the connection between teacher qualifications and student performance in mathematics. The study used a descriptive and correlational design with a mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine the impact of teacher qualifications on students’ academic performance in mathematics subject in public boarding secondary schools in Rwanda, a case of Rubavu District. The target population included 343 respondents, including 225 mathematics teachers and 118 mathematics leaders. The researcher determined the sample size of 185 respondents using Yamane formula. Respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique using questionnaires and documentary research techniques as data collection tools and taking into account pilot studies. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and interpretations were made based on the results reported by the respondents. Key findings showed that independence in learning, exam and test results, homework completion, and class participation were positively associated with students’ performance in mathematics. Moreover, teacher qualifications were significantly related to various research variables, such as mastery of math content, classroom management, use of ICT skills, and education level. These factors collectively had a positive influence on students’ academic performance in mathematics. The study’s recommendations include providing training for mathematics teachers to enhance their qualifications, improving the mathematics curriculum, increasing the availability of learning materials, and conducting further research on teaching methodologies and student perceptions of math education.

This study was conducted to show whether or not using rubrics as an assessment tool has an impact on pupils’ academic performance in Mathematics at senior secondary school level. The problem of poor performance of Grade 12 pupils in Mathematics has been a matter of concern, especially at Malela secondary school. In this study, a rubric served as an assessment tool to gather information about pupils’ achievement levels in demonstrating both knowledge and skills. The study sample population included two (2) grade 12 classes, were one class was the experimental group (N=55) and the other one was a control group (N=55) and Six (6) teachers of Mathematics. The two (2) grades twelve (12) classes were selected from the target population of the five (5) grade twelve classes using simple random sampling, and the six (6) teachers were selected purporsively.The study was based on three (3) research questions and two hypotheses. The research method used was a mixed approach and the research design was a quasi-experimental design. Three topics were taught to both the experimental and control groups which included probability, geometrical transformations and linear programing using problem based learning strategies. The experimental group was assessed using rubrics while the control group was assessed using conventional forms of assessment. The two groups were subjected to a pre-test, end of topic tests and a post-test. Data was also collected using teacher questionnaires and classroom observations. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, where an independent sample t-test was conducted at alpha (α) = 0.05 significance level and qualitative data was analyzed by categorizing, describing and explaining. The study revealed that using rubrics for assessment was found to have a positive impact on pupils’ academic performance as the experimental group outperformed the control group. The study also revealed that Mathematics teachers had a limited way of assessing pupils in class. Hence the reason to recommend that alternative assessment tools (rubrics) should be made mandatory to teachers of Mathematics at senior secondary school level. Keywords: Rubric, Assessment, Assessment tools, Conventional forms of assessment, academic performance. DOI : 10.7176/MTM/9-7-02 Publication date : July 31 st 2019

Research was conducted with middle‐school Kuwaiti children to assess the effectiveness of student learning styles in predicting students' academic performance in Mathematics. A group of middle school students who had received first quarter grades and enrolled in an after‐school tutoring program were studied, with half of the students in a traditional tutoring program and the other half in a Markova learning style‐tutoring program. Results show that the students in the experimental group (mean = 45.91), whose learning styles were accommodated for, performed better than the students in the control group who studied using the traditional method (mean = 43.80) of teaching. Gender, type of school attended, and area in which the students lived were all analyzed within the experimental group. The experimental group results show that the highest‐grade improvement in Mathematics was found to be predominately male students attending private institutions, and living in the urban areas of Kuwait.Students learn in a variety of ways, and their ability to attain this information also varies. A student's capacity to learn is impacted by the teacher's style of conveying information. Unfortunately, little attention has been given to how children think (Markova, 1992). Often, it is assumed that students' minds operate in the same way as the teacher's does. So much of student failure in school comes directly out of the larger failure to stimulate all those areas in the children's brains, stimulation which could open up their minds in so many ways (Markova, 1992).Student's academic performance is a matter of concern to educators, parents, and students themselves. The ways in which an individual characteristically acquires, retains, and retrieves information are collectively referred to as his or her learning style (Felder and Henriques, 1995). Unfortunately, the manner in which children acquire the information to perform well academically is too often ignored.Considerable research has examined the relationship between students' learning styles and their academic performance (Witkin, 1973; Gregorc, 1979; Claxton and Murrell, 1987; Brunner and Majewski, 1990; Schroeder, 1993; Klavas, 1993). These studies have consistently found that when learning styles were considered in the teaching process, academic performance increased. Schroeder states that accommodating the variations in learning styles could improve curricula and the teaching process (1993).The results of a study by Dunn et al. (1995) suggested that students whose learning styles are accommodated would be expected to achieve 75% of a standard deviation higher than students for whose learning style had not been accommodated. Many researchers have reported that students often classified as poor achievers, learning disabled, at‐risk youth, or dropouts were able to improve their academic performance when instruction was redesigned to respond to their particular learning style preferences (Stone, 1992; Perrin, 1990; Elliot, 1991; Andrews, 1990).Children suffer deeply when their natural way of thinking, of absorbing and processing information, of creating and expressing is criticized, mocked, or ignored (Markova, 1992). However, learning efficiently empowers children to gain confidence since many believe they have learned a skill only after they can perform it easily.Markova acknowledges that many approaches to understanding individual differences include something about the fact that most of us have one sense we are most comfortable using in the learning process. Understanding these patterns of processing information is crucial to finding the most effective ways to educate our children. Markova has identified six patterns of personal thinking, which are different combinations of the perceptual kinesthetic (K), auditory (A), and visual (V) channels. He posits that information is first received by the conscious mind, sorted by the unconscious mind and finally integrated by the subconscious mind (Markova, 1992). The six different combinations (KAV, KVA, AVK, AKV, VKA, and VAK) are referred to as personal thinking patterns and determine the most comfortable and effective way for each learner to learn.

This paper seeks to establish whether there is a statistically significant difference in students’ academic performance in mathematics and non-mathematics courses using face-to-face, online, and blended instruction. The study is quantitative research and employs a case study approach covering 603 students at the Catholic University of Ghana. The paired sampled t-test is adopted to analyze the data set. The study found that at a 5 percent significant level, there is no statistically significant difference in students’ academic performance in mathematics and non-mathematics courses using face-to-face instruction. Conversely, a statistically significant difference exists in students’ academic performance in mathematics and non-mathematics courses using online and blended instructions. The study concludes that non-mathematics courses can be best taught using online instruction whereas mathematics-related courses can best be taught using blended instruction. However, face-to-face instruction leads to no difference in students’ academic performance.