Students ' Views on Learning Environment for Undergraduate Mathematics in Selected Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to find out views of students on learning environmentfor undergraduate mathematics in Tanzania. 303 male and 120 femaleundergraduate students participated in the study. Data were collectedthrough questionnaire and interview methods. Students ' views werepositive on lecturers ' characteristics, academic relationships, as wellas gender sensitivity in the learning environment. However, the studentshad a concern on the teaching methods for the subject, the nature of testsduring their coursework, as well as marking and grading styles. This paperconcludes that, among others, contrary to observations in non-mathematicscontexts, male and female students hold similar views on many aspectsof the learning environment for undergraduate mathematics. However,these views depended on the mode of students ' participation in the subject.Keywords gender, gender sensitivity, lecturers ' characteristics,undergraduate, post-compulsory mathematics