A Pedagogical Framework to Enhance Students’ Perception of Mathematics Relevance in Information Technology Education

Mathematics is fundamental to Information Technology (IT), underpinning key areas such as programming, cryptography, artificial intelligence (AI), and networking. However, many IT students perceive mathematics as abstract and disconnected from computing applications, leading to low engagement and weak competency. This study proposes the ITM-RPF, a structured pedagogical model designed to enhance IT students’ perception of mathematics by integrating it with real-world computing tasks. The ITM-RPF framework consists of four phases; Perception Analysis and Diagnostic, Contextualized Integration and Applied Learning, Experiential Simulation and Performance Enhancement, and Perception Shift Evaluation and Continuous Learning. A quasi-experimental research design was used with 152 undergraduate IT students at AAMUSTED, Ghana, assessing their mathematical competency and perceptions before and after a 12-week intervention. Results show a significant improvement in mathematical competency and perception, with post-intervention data indicating higher confidence, increased engagement, and stronger alignment with industry needs. Paired samples t-tests and descriptive statistics confirm that ITM-RPF effectively bridges the gap between mathematical theory and IT applications. This study contributes to IT education by providing a structured model that fosters applied learning and reshapes students' perceptions of mathematics.