A pedagogical framework to enhance students’ perception of mathematics relevance in Information Technology education

Mathematics is fundamental to Information Technology (IT), supporting areas such as programming, cryptography, artificial intelligence, and networking. However, many IT students perceive mathematics as abstract and disconnected from computing practice, resulting in low engagement and weak competency. This study proposes the IT Mathematics Relevance and Perception Framework (ITM-RPF), a structured pedagogical model designed to improve students’ perceptions of mathematics by linking it to real-world IT tasks. The framework comprises four phases: Perception Analysis and Diagnostic, Contextualized Integration and Applied Learning, Experiential Simulation and Performance Enhancement, and Perception Shift Evaluation and Continuous Learning. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study involved 152 undergraduate IT students at AAMUSTED, Ghana, and examined mathematical competency and perceptions before and after a 12-week intervention. Results showed that average test scores improved from 41% pre-intervention to 64% post-intervention, indicating a substantial increase in competency. While 52% of students initially fell within the weak proficiency category, none remained in this group after the intervention. Perceptions of mathematics relevance also improved significantly, with mean agreement rising from 2.3 to 4.1 out of 5. Paired samples t-tests confirmed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001).