Classroom Learning Environment and Self-Efficacy in Mathematics of Freshmen Engineering Students of the University of Eastern Philippines

Aims: To determine the classroom learning environment in terms of goal orientation, physical facilities, student-student interaction, teacher-student interaction, method of teaching, and the degree of self-efficacy in mathematics; and establish if there is a significant relationship between their classroom environment and the degree of self-efficacy in mathematics.

Study Design: Descriptive correlational research design.

Place and Duration of Study: College of Engineering, University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar in the school year 2012-2013.

Methodology: Complete enumeration of 260 freshmen students from the College of Engineering courses: Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering enrolled in Mathematics were surveyed using the 50-item Learning Environment Schedule developed by Sunitha and Mathematics Self-efficacy Survey developed by Betz and Hackett. The data gathered were tabulated, analyzed, and treated statistically using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0 Version).

Results: With the total score of 50594 out of 65000 and a mean of 3.89, the respondents found the classroom learning environment in terms of goal; orientation, physical facilities, student-student interaction, teacher-student interaction, and methods of teaching to be favorable; that the total score of 17634 and a mean of 3.61 showed that respondents had much confidence or had high self-efficacy in Mathematics; and that the Pearson r of .187 with the respective significant value of .001, ,000, ,011, and,000, goal orientation, student-student interaction, teacher-student interaction and methods of teaching were found to have a significant relationship with self-efficacy in mathematics; and only physical facilities was not significantly correlated to self-efficacy in mathematics.

Conclusion: Classroom learning environment variables are significantly related to self-efficacy in mathematics.