Dr Florence Gabriel
Senior Research Fellow, the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning, University of SAPresenting in Adelaide
Mathematics Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, and Strategies for Resilience
Mathematics anxiety is a prevalent issue in schools. It is often defined as feelings of tension, nervousness, or even fear experienced when doing mathematics. The short-term effect of this anxiety is a decline in maths achievement, which in turn leads to increased anxiety, but the long-term impact is the development of negative attitudes towards maths and the avoidance of mathematics altogether. In this presentation, Dr Gabriel will examine the root causes of mathematics anxiety and its associated symptoms. She will discuss evidence-informed strategies to identify and address mathematics anxiety in educational settings. Better understanding of how this anxiety develops and how it can be mitigated can support improvement in both learning and mental health. By exploring the complexities of mathematics anxiety, this presentation seeks to empower educators and stakeholders with the knowledge and strategies needed to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Dr Florence Gabriel
Dr Florence Gabriel is an Enterprise Fellow in Education Futures and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at the University of South Australia (UniSA). She completed her PhD in educational neuroscience and psychology at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the University of Cambridge. Prior to joining UniSA, she worked as a policy analyst at the OECD, where she made significant contributions to the development of their Learning Compass 2030.
Dr Gabriel is a learning scientist who is interested in the complex and important question of how emotions, motivation, cognition and metacognition affect learning and achievement. Her specialisations include research into the anxiety that can surround the study of mathematics and ways in which this anxiety, stress or worry can be reduced. With her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to advancing the future of education, Dr Gabriel is dedicated to shedding light on innovative strategies and practices that foster effective learning environments.