Mathematics Learning Difficulties of Slow Learners on A Circle

Abstract

Slow learners are children who have low intelligence in which these children need more time to study than normal children. The aim of this research was to analyze some mathematics learning difficulties of the slow learner on a circle and the strategies to overcome the difficulties. This exploratory study research used qualitative approach. The subjects were two of the 8th grade’s slow learner students in Islam Diponegoro Junior High School Surakarta. Data collection was done using documentation, testing, and interview method. Based on the data analysis, the results showed that the subjects dominantly had mathematics difficulties on a circle that were categorized in ideognostic dyscalculia, in which they had difficulties in understanding mathematical ideas and relationships towards the circle especially in the new situations (variety of problems), because of difficulty in recalling mathematical ideas after learning it; and operational dyscalculia, in which they got difficulties in performing arithmetic operations and mathematical principle, because they did not comprehend the algebraic concepts. The strategies to overcome these difficulties were encourage the students have clear conception by using teaching aids such as paper-circular or cylindrical cans so that the students could find out the value of phi, circumference, area, radius, diameter of the circle.