FACTORS AFFECTING THE LEVEL OF INTEREST TOWARDS MATHEMATICS AS FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION OF BACHELOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN ISAP

Abstract

This study focused on the Factors Affecting the Level of Interest Towards Mathematics as Field of Specialization of B.S.Ed. Students in ISAP. This study aimed to address the question, “How to increase the number of mathematics enrollees or how to encourage/motivate students to take mathematics as a major, in terms of: teacher-related, subject-related, school-related, and self-related factors”. This study also aimed to determine the factors affecting the students’ interest in choosing Mathematics as a field of specialization. This study used Sequential-Mixed Method as the research design. This study used survey questionnaire and interview method in gathering data. The data gathered were analyzed using the following procedures: Total enumeration, frequency count and percentage distribution, weighted mean, and thematic analysis approach. Based from the result of this study, it was concluded that all of the given factors (teacher-related, subject-related, school-related, and self-related factor) significantly affect the level of interest of students in choosing mathematics as a field of specialization. Aside from the given related factors, this study also concluded that there were many determinants need to be considered why students choose mathematics as their field of specialization, such as, the (1) intrinsic factors, (2) competence factors, and (3) extrinsic factors. It is recommended that math teachers should demonstrate sensitivity to students’ ability and maintain the positive behaviors such as being kind and approachable to students.