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Survey: Students Say AI Use Can Reduce Math Anxiety

In a recent survey, 56% of high school students said that the use of artificial intelligence can go a long way toward reducing math anxiety. Conducted by the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), the survey polled 1,500 16- to 18-year-old students across the United States, England, and Wales, as well as 250 of their teachers, about the impact of AI on math education.

The majority of respondents (61%) said AI can lower math anxiety by providing instant help, clarification, and feedback, making students "worry less about feeling lost in a crowded classroom." Other benefits of AI cited by students include:

  • Building confidence by providing round-the-clock help and enabling students to ask questions and get clarification at their own pace in a nonjudgmental setting (44%);
  • Delivering a personalized approach that improves students' learning experience and makes math more accessible and understandable (33%); and
  • Reducing students' fear of making mistakes by providing guidance without having to ask questions in front of other students (25%).

Fifteen percent of survey respondents said they have personally experienced a decrease in math anxiety by using AI, and 21% said their math scores improved.

"Math anxiety is a longtime issue affecting millions of people of all ages worldwide, yet to date, there hasn't been a universal solution," said Dr. Karen Bliss, senior manager of education and outreach at SIAM, in a statement. "This survey suggests that AI may be a potentially effective path forward."

For more survey results, visit the SIAM site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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