The importance of teaching mathematics as an integrated subject is recognized everywhere, not withstanding in Malaysia.
Educating the pupils mathematically is more difficult, challenging and complex than teaching them some mathematics. In most
of the countries including Malaysia the mathematical culture adapted in schools has the following characteristics viz. curriculum
of procedures, methods, skills, rules and algorithms which insist on ‘doing’ mathematics rather than ‘thinking’ mathematics.
Issues such as quantum of mathematics content, completion of stipulated syllabus in the given rigid time, examinations, interests
and cognitive level of the learners were not given due considerations. Teachers generalize the learners ability i.e., teacher plans
the lesson, teaches the lesson aiming at the average generalized ability of the learner considering it as every student’s ability. It is
evident that Mathematics teaching is dominated by dehumanisation, depersonalisation and decontextualisation. Students many
times confused why are they learning about algebra, trigonometry theoretical proofs of theorems. Teaching mathematics in
school classrooms is not contextual hence the aims of mathematically inclined learners are not realized by the students. The
purpose of this study is to investigate the extent of humanizing mathematics among secondary mathematics teachers based on
student’s perception of their teachers’ practices in the classroom, specifically their beliefs about the classroom context such as the
role and functioning of the mathematics teacher in the classroom. The mean scores for students’ beliefs in their teachers’ role and
functioning in the mathematics classroom were positive with high ratings on showing step-by-step procedures in solving
mathematical problems. Students also showed positive beliefs on teachers’ role in making mathematics learning enjoyable,
interesting, and making learning mathematics understandable, meaningful and a friendly atmosphere.
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