Developing students’ positive attitude and mathematics competence in a digital environment: Lessons from university-school partnership

Abstract

What is positive attitude? Attitude is a way of seeing something. If we analyse the quote of Sterling Welling Sill closely, we may roughly get an idea of positive attitude in contrast to negative attitude. Positive attitude is linked to words and phrases, such as, ambitious (with a vision), enthusiastic, loyal / commitment / sense of responsibility, good grades, industrious, follow instruction; whereas negative attitude may linked to words and phrases, such as, lazy, dull undependable, poor grades, discouragement, lack of industry, failure to follow instruction, etc. Interplay with Chinese Confucianism, we may also link attitude with culture. As a Chinese, we may like to ask: What is the attitude to learning proposed under Confucianism? Positive learning attitude linked with thinking is worthy, in other words, learning should be “deep learning” (Biggs, 1991 ) and Lee, 2006). Learning is thus about making inquiry and finding answers. According to the Confucian scholar of Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi, Without the effort of inquiry and seeking for answers, there will be no achievement. Hence, one may say that generic positive values in learning as such can in fact share between cultures, between different geographical regions and between different time zones. In the research ground of psychology, attitude is about goals and motivations, and is a well-investigated area. In the presentation, positive attitude for learning will be discussed in the light of the goal theories in psychology, extending to the recent mindset theories with a link to new findings in neuroscience. With respect to the question: What is mathematics competence in a digital environment? I use the case of the development of Hong Kong curriculum as an example. Via three University-partnership projects, lessons for various aspect essential to learning taken place in classroom are discussed. Finally, the author argues that in the 21st century it is essential for a technology-supportive learning environment designed for nurturing the young generation to have: a positive attitude and a growth mindset, learning with intrinsic motivation, a collaborative spirit and self-discipline, as well as a wise and selective use of technology.