Exploring the effect of students’ willingness on mathematics cognitive achievement: A mediation model of problem-solving skills
Emmanuel Nteaka Bimbim 1 * , Beatrice Ampofo 1, Francis Ohene Boateng 1
More Detail
1 Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana
* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of students’ willingness on their mathematics cognitive development as mediated by student’s problem solving skills in mathematics among senior high schools in Ghana. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to sample 212 respondents from a high school. Introductory letter was sent to seek for permission from the headmaster before the data was collected. A structured questionnaire was employed as a tool to gather information from the respondents since quantitative method was adopted for the study. Using Amos and SPSS software, the questionnaires were analyzed and evaluated the various correlations among the variables utilizing the model of structural equations. Findings of this study indicated that, student’s willingness towards mathematics and student’s mathematics problem solving, all have favorable impact on their cognitive accomplishments of Ghanaian senior high school students and this effect was statistically significant. Therefore, all the three hypotheses were supported by the study.

Keywords

References

  • Asare, B., Welcome, N. B., & Arthur, Y. D. (2024). Investigating the impact of classroom management, teacher quality, and mathematics interest on mathematics achievement. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 6(2), 30–46. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpsp.202426232
  • Boaler, J. (2016). Mathematical mindsets: Unleashing students' potential through creative math, inspiring messages and innovative teaching. Jossey-Bass/Wiley.
  • Bormotova, L. S. (2010). A qualitative study of meta-cognitive reflection: the beliefs, attitudes and reflective practices of developing professional educators [Unpublished doctroal dissertation]. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania.
  • Cowan,R., Hurry, J., & Midouhas, E. (2018). The relationship between learning mathematics and general cognitive ability in primary school. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 36(2), 277–284. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12200
  • Davis, E. K., Howard, N. Seah, W.T., & Wilmot, E.M. (2021). The attributes of mathematics learning which Ghanaian senior high school students value. Journal of Global Education and Research, 5(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5038/2577-509x.5.1.1096
  • Effandi, Z., & Normah, Y. (2009). Attitudes and problem‑solving skills in algebra among Malaysian matriculation college students. European Journal of Social Sciences, 8(2), 232–245.
  • Garon‑Carrier, G., Boivin, M., Guay, F., Kovas, Y., Dionne, G., Lemelin, J., Seguin, J., Vitaro, F., & Tremblay, R. E. (2016). Intrinsic motivation and achievement in mathematics in elementary school: A longitudinal investigation of their association. Child Development, 87(1), 165–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12458
  • Gomes, C. M. A., Fleith, D. S., Marinho-Araujo, C. M., & ML Rabelo, M. L. (2020). Predictors of students’ mathematics achievement in secondary education. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 36, e3638. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102.3772e3638
  • Hui, H. B. & Mahmud, M. S. (2023). Influence of game‑based learning in mathematics education on the students’ cognitive and affective domain: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1105806. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1105806
  • Jonassen, D. H. (2000). Toward a design theory of problem solving. Educational Technology Research and Development, 48(4), 63–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02300500
  • Kalpana, M. S., & Malathi, M. V. A. (2019). A study on interest in mathematics interest and its relation to academic achievement inmathematics among higher secondary students. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, 3(4), 1246–1254. https://doi.org/10.31142/ijtsrd25113
  • Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology (pp. 16–23). Association for Educational Communications & Technology.
  • Knox, H. (2017). Using writing strategies in math to increase metacognitive skills for the gifted learner. Gifted Child Today, 40(1), 43-47. https://doi.org/10.1177/1076217516675904
  • Lu, L., Mustakim, S. S., & Muhamad, M. M. (2025). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of problem-based learning on critical thinking. European Journal of Educational Research, 14(3), 789-804. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.14.3.789
  • Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Ruddock, G. J., O'Sullivan, C. Y., & Preuschoff, C. (2009). TIMSS 2011 assessment frameworks. TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center.
  • OECD. (2013). The PISA assessment framework: mathematics, reading, science and problem solving knowledge and skills. Author.
  • Ostby, R. (2022). The impact of problem-based learning on students critical thinking skills and peer relationships [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minnesota.
  • Papageorgiou, E., Wong, J., Liu, Q., Khalil, M., & Cabo, A. J. (2025). A systematic review on student engagement in undergraduate mathematics: conceptualization, measurement, and learning outcomes. Educational Psychology Review, 37, Article 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10046-y
  • Peixoto, F., Radišić, J., Krstić, K., Hansen, K. Y., Laine, A., Baucal, A., Sõrmus, M.,& L Mata, L. (2022). Contribution to the validation of the expectancy-value scale for primary school students. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 40(2), 203–215.
  • Piaget, J. (1977). The development of thought: Equilibration of cognitive structures. (A. Rosin, Trans). Viking Press.
  • Ryan, V., Fitzmaurice, O., & O’Donoghue, J. (2022). Student interest and engagement in mathematics after the first year of secondary education. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 10(4), 436–454. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/12180
  • Schoenfeld, A. H. (2013). Reflections on problem solving theory and practice. The Mathematics Enthusiast, 10(1–2), 9–34. https://doi.org/10.54870/1551-3440.1258
  • Sigus, H., & Mädamürk, K. (2025). Students’ motivation as a mediator between extra‑mathematical knowledge and word‑problem solving. Discover Education, 4, 172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00595-3
  • Smith, A. (2022). Making mathematics count: the report of professor adrian smith’s inquiry into post-14 mathematics education. The Stationery Office.
  • Ten Braak, D., Lenes, R., Purpura, D. J., Schmitt, S. A., & Størksen, I. (2022). Why do early mathematics skills predict later mathematics and reading achievement? The role of executive function. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 214, 105306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105306
  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: the development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
  • Wardat, Y., Tashtoush, M. A., AlAli, R., & Jarrah, A. M. (2023). A revolutionary tool for teaching and learning mathematics. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(7), em2286. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13272
  • Wong, S. L., & Wong, S. L. (2019). Relationship between interest and mathematics performance in a technology-enhanced learning context in Malaysia. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 14, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-019-0114-3
  • Zawojewski, J. S., Magiera, M., & Lesh, R. (2013). A proposal for a problem-driven mathematics curriculum framework. The Mathematics Enthusiast, 10(1–2), 469–506. https://doi.org/10.54870/1551-3440.1275
  • Zhang, D., Wang, C., & Yang, Y. (2021). The association between cognitive activation and mathematics achievement: a multiple mediation model. Educational Psychology, 41(6), 695–711. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2021.1917520
  • Zimmerman, B. J., & Kitsantas, A. (2014). Comparing students’ self-discipline and self-regulation measures and their prediction of academic achievement. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 39(2), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2014.03.004

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.