Date of Award:

5-2024

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Committee Chair(s)

Jessica F. Shumway (Committee Co-Chair), Tye Campbell (Committee Co-Chair)

Committee

Jessica F. Shumway

Committee

Tye Campbell

Committee

Colby Tofel-Grehl

Committee

Suzanne Jones

Committee

Sindura Kularajan

Abstract

All students need to feel that their classes are safe spaces where they can explore and discuss their ideas. When students do not feel free to share their reasoning or understandings without fear of negative personal or social consequences, they may intentionally limit their participation in discussions. This study investigated the relationship between Advanced Placement Calculus students' perceived feelings of psychological safety and their professed level of participation in class mathematics discourse, as well as the reasons why they would choose their particular level of participation. Findings indicated that these students generally liked to share their ideas because they wanted to further their own or other students' understanding of mathematics, wanted to demonstrate their knowledge, or felt that the class environment was discussion friendly. Students in the study also reported that they did not want to share their ideas when they felt the critical judgment of others, feared being wrong, lacked knowledge or confidence in their understanding, or various other personal perspectives. Results of this study showed that mathematically-knowledgeable high school students were willing to participate in the mathematics discussions of their class when they felt assured of no negative consequences. These feelings of psychological safety were valued by the students in this study to promote an open class environment where they felt accepted and their ideas were respected and appreciated. The findings of this study support the essential nature of establishing psychologically safe environments for productive class mathematics discourse.

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