Students’ learning difficulties in integral calculus based on critical thinking skills

Abstract

This study aimed to describe students’ learning difficulties in integral calculus based on critical thinking skills. This study used descriptive exploratory methods with instruments: test, interview, documentation, and observation. Data was taken from 20 undergraduate students from the study program of mathematics education at Universitas Negeri Semarang. The results showed that: (1) there were 24 types of student difficulties identified in calculus lectures; these difficulties consist of 20 types of difficulties related to calculus material (types of difficulties number 1 to 20) and four types of difficulties that were not related to material (types of difficulties number 21 to 24), and (2) these types of difficulties were graded according to the level of student critical thinking skills. A higher level of critical thinking skills had fewer types of difficulties; on the other hand, a lower level of critical thinking skills had more types of difficulties and more fundamental. The fundamental types of difficulties based on the critical thinking skills aspect include understanding integral concepts and drawing graphics.