Investigation on students’ mathematical online discussion: A case study in grade 8 SMPN 1 Denpasar

Abstract

Online discussions are now very important to build student thinking in a blended learning environment. This study aimed to explore the significance of mathematical abilities and communication skills that arose during online discussions. The research subjects were 40 (20 male and 20 female) grade 8 students of SMPN 1 Denpasar in the academic year 2016. The data were all students’ posts stored in the learning management system used as a tool to support the blended learning process. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques and coded using mathematical proficiency. The results showed that (a) there was significant mathematical proficiency and communication skills appeared in the online discussion dashboard, (b) The total students’ posts were 556 consisting of 58.5% questions and 41.5% answers. The female students’ posts were 39.7% while the male students’ posts were 60.3%. (c) The posts of female students contained 75.6% mathematics skills, 17.2% communication skills and 7.2% unclear, while the male students’ posts contained 89.3%, 9.0%, and 1.8 % for that category. It can be concluded that online discussion was able to create very significant mathematical proficiency (conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, productive disposition) and communication skills (clarification, advice). Female students appeared less active in online discussions than male students did. Female students had given more contribution to the communication skill, while male students had more actively participated in building mathematical skills. Further research is needed to explain the relationship between student activities in online discussion and student performance.