Improving VIII Grade Students’ Mathematical Problem Solving Ability Through Realistic Mathematics Education

I Made Ari Purwadi

doi:10.46517/seamej.v10i1.93

Abstract

This classroom action research was aimed at describing the improvement of students' mathematical problem solving (MPS) ability through Realistic Mathematics Education (RME). Nineteen students of VIII grade in SMP Laboratorium Undiksha in the first semester of the academic year of 2019/2020 were taken part as the research subject. This research data was collected by observation sheet and essay-test then it analyzed descriptively using simple statistics. The result of the research showed that the average score of students’ MPS ability on the first cycle equals 71,92, the second cycle equals 73,2, and the third cycle equals 75. As demonstrated, the implementation of RME could increase students’ MPS ability. Hence, the implementation of RME made students more motivated, more active on discussion and learning process, solved problems more easily, and more trained to communicate their understanding.

Highlights

Mathematics is an important part of civilization and possesses vital role in the development of science, engineering, and technology
The lesson plans, worksheets, and tests are designed according to Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach
All of them designed for guiding students to find the mathematics concept independently and the teacher just being a facilitator

Summary

Introduction

Mathematics is an important part of civilization and possesses vital role in the development of science, engineering, and technology. Problem solving is one of the skills that can be nurtured through mathematics. To enhance the quality of education and human resources, Indonesian government through the Curriculum 2013 put emphasize on the development of 21st Century’s skill, which includes problem-solving (Kemendikbud, 2018; Phonsa et al, 2019; Tican & Deniz, 2019). If the students want to be a successful problem solver, they need to deeply understand the strategies and techniques of problem solving (Marchis, 2013). They have to be able to think logically, analytically, systematically, critically, and creatively (Surya & Putri, 2016)

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