1Third Misconceptions Seminar Proceedings (1993) Paper Title: Misconceptions, Attitudes and Teacher Preparation

Abstract: The problem of students ' low achievement in mathematics has been extensively investigated with respect to a variety of possible interacting variables including emotional. Mathematical learning may differ from learning in other subjects and probably requires special student and teacher efforts due to its level of symbolic language, abstraction and the hierarchical development of logical schemata. The still prevailing academic way of presenting new concepts, the frequently behavioristic automation in learning and applying procedures, the failure (on the part of teacher) to connect mathematics with real life situations, in short, the poor and unimaginative teaching has created and preserved social stereotypes, beliefs, fears, negative attitudes and anxiety which constitute major obstacles