Needs Assessment for the Development of Learning Models Based on Mathematical Problem Posing to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Abstract

Needs assessment is used as a base or a foundation in designing learning models based on mathematical problem posing. This research aims to identify mathematics learning that occurs and should occur. Needs assessment is carried out by literature study and field study. The participants in this study were junior high school mathematics teachers in Palu City. Of the 25 mathematics teachers who sent the mathematics learning questionnaire results, it was found that 65% of the teachers rarely applied the problem-posing task, and 35% never gave the assignment of proposing mathematics problems. The information obtained from the interviews with 4 mathematics teachers regarding problem posing was that the students understanding about the concept. The teacher argues that if students are given the task of problem posing, they would only copy in the book. They construct problems from the textbook and replace the numbers. The task of posing a problem is given when the math teacher is unable to attend. The task of constructing problem was a punishment for students for not working on the questions. The conclusion from this study results is that the teacher rarely gives the task of problem posing. There are misconceptions about the task of mathematical problem posing. Keywords: critical thinking skills, learning models, mathematical problem posing, needs assessment