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Student Performance in Mathematics and its Impact on Learning STEM Subjects

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Islamic Finance

Part of the book series: Contributions to Management Science ((MANAGEMENT SC.))

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Abstract

Though mathematics represents the last letter in STEM, many believe that it is ranked first with regard to importance. Mathematics contributes to the understanding of the ideas and concepts of all other subjects, especially in integrating STEM education programs. The objective of this research is to give information on student mathematics performance and make suggestions about how the results may affect learning about STEM subjects. A total of 510 Form 1 students, on average, 13 years old, consisted of 235 males and 275 females, participated in this cross-sectional study. A year-end mathematics examination consisted of 44 items in a partial credit format is used as an instrument. Using the Rasch measurement model framework, responses from the exam were utilized to calibrate the items according to their level of difficulty. The results show that students have difficulty in answering items related to the topic of (1) linear inequalities, followed by (2) ratios, rates, and proportions, as well as (3) algebraic expressions. However, they demonstrate mastery in answering items related to the topics of (1) linear equations, (2) factors and multiples, and (3) perimeters and areas. We believe that knowledge in these areas would enable teachers to prepare more successful activities related to the inclusion of STEM subjects in classroom instruction and learning. Creating a robot or building models is meaningless if students are unable to obtain a deep understanding of the concepts associated with mathematics.

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Acknowledgments

The research was funded by the Ministry of Education through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2020/SSI0/USM/02/5). We wish to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia for providing the opportunity to conduct this study as well as all students and teachers for their time and willingness to participate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Educational Studies, Malaysia, Penang

    Ahmad Zamri Khairani & Nor Asniza Ishak

  2. Faculty of Human Development Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia

    Izazol Idris

  3. Sekolah Menengah Sains Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia

    Hasni Shamsuddin

Authors
  1. Ahmad Zamri Khairani
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  2. Nor Asniza Ishak
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  3. Izazol Idris
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  4. Hasni Shamsuddin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmad Zamri Khairani .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Finance, University of Sousse-Tunisia and University of Salamanca-Spain, Monastir, Tunisia

    Nadia Mansour

  2. Faculty of Law, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

    Lorenzo Bujosa

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Khairani, A.Z., Ishak, N.A., Idris, I., Shamsuddin, H. (2024). Student Performance in Mathematics and its Impact on Learning STEM Subjects. In: Mansour, N., Bujosa, L. (eds) Islamic Finance. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48770-5_32

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