Students’ experiences studying advanced level pure Mathematics : a study of the challenges encountered

Abstract

This qualitative case study explores the experiences of students who are studying Pure Mathematics at Advanced Level (PMAL) at a Post-Secondary state school in Malta. Participants are first-year students encountering various challenges during their course of studies. Subsequently, my aims in this study were: (i) to identify the challenges and difficulties encountered by students studying PMAL; and (ii) to uncover and put forward students’ suggestions, perceived as critical for the improvement in their learning process. The study included 44 participants, 25 males and 19 females. Data was collected during the 2013–2014 scholastic year, particularly during the period of April to June 2014. The data sources included a questionnaire with all students (focusing on the students’ backgrounds, general thoughts and beliefs), six one-to-one in-depth interviews (addressing the challenges encountered) and a focus group (uncovering students’ suggestions). Findings from the study show that the challenges and suggestions put forward by participants taking PMAL can be classified principally under four key categories, namely: (1) personal factors; (2) school-related factors; (3) support structures; and (4) system-related factors.