Students’ Obstacles and Difficulties in Mathematical Literacy Based on Skill Levels and Learning Styles

Bullying is still a common occurrence in educational settings. It can have a negative impact on students' mental health, and can affect students' academic performance. Factors causing bullying that occurs in the school environment are caused by family factors, school environment factors that are unfair to students, peer factors, social media factors that are used improperly. Bullying that occurs in schools is done individually or in groups, so that teachers can play a role in preventing bullying behavior in schools, therefore this research was conducted to find out the problems and factors that cause bullying cases in Ma'arif Junior High School in Bandung. The purpose of the study was to determine the role of PAI teachers in preventing bullying, and to describe the forms of bullying and to find out the efforts made by PAI teachers in preventing bullying in schools. This study uses descriptive qualitative research methods through interviews, observation and documentation using Miles and Huberman data analysis, namely, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. The results showed that the pai teacher plays a role in preventing bullying by carrying out several roles at school including as a role model, as an initiator, as an evaluator and as a mentor in preventing bullying that occurs at Ma'arif Junior High School in Bandung City, among which the forms of bullying that occur at Ma'arif Junior High School in Bandung City are verbal, physical, relational bullying. The efforts made by PAI teachers in preventing bullying in schools by running several school programmes, namely the istighosah programme, habituation of dhuha prayer, kitab akhlaq lil banin, kitab ta'lim muta'lim and flag ceremonies.

Differences in students' learning styles, whether visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, affect the way of students in absorbing, processing, and understanding the mathematical information provided. This statement indicates that differences in learning styles also affect students' mastery of mathematical literacy and students' skills in solving problems involving higher-order thinking skills. So, this study aims to describe students' mathematical literacy skills in solving higher-order thinking skills (HOTS)-oriented problems in terms of students' learning styles. The research used descriptive qualitative research that is involving 6 eighth-grade students at a junior high school in Blora, Central Java, Indonesia, as research subjects selected using simple random sampling techniques. The instruments used were a learning style questionnaire to identify students' learning styles, HOTS-oriented equation of a straight line problems to reveal students' mathematical literacy, and interviews to confirm the answers given by students in the test. Data were analyzed using an interactive model, namely data reduction, data presentation, and data verification, accompanied by triangulation techniques to ensure the validity of the data. The results showed that students with a visual learning style were more dominant in mastering communication skills and the ability to use language and symbolic, formal, and technical operations. In contrast, students with auditory learning styles are only dominant in mastering communication skills. While students with kinesthetic learning styles are more dominant in mastering language use skills and symbolic, formal, and technical operations.

The topic of linear equations with one variable is studied at the junior high school level. This topic is essential as it can be applied to solve various real-life problems. However, many students struggle to master this concept, often due to various learning obstacles. This study aims to describe the learning obstacles faced by students in understanding linear equations with one variable in the context of mathematical literacy. The method of research used is a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The research subjects were six eighth-grade students from a junior high school in Bandung. Data were collected through written tests and interviews. The results revealed five types of learning obstacles related to the material of linear equations with one variable based on mathematical literacy. These obstacles include: difficulties in forming equations, inaccuracy in reading or understanding questions, and challenges in concluding. Additionally, students faced difficulties in understanding the relationships between different concepts and in understanding what needs to be done. To overcome these learning obstacles, several efforts can be made, including transforming abstract concepts into concrete and visual representations, improving interactive and contextual problem-based teaching methods, and offering varied exercises. These strategies are expected to significantly enhance students' mathematical literacy and reduce learning obstacles.

Background: Adolescents are the population group most at risk of HIV infection due to low knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The National Population and Family Planning Board (Badan Kependudukan dan Keluarga Berencana Nasional, BKKBN) has developed the Youth Information and Counseling Center (Pusat Informasi dan Konseling Remaja, PIK-R) Program as a forum for information and counseling services, one of which is about Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) including HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to explore whether the implementation of the programs related to HIV/AIDS prevention in adolescents, specifically in junior high school in Bandung City. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was carried out at a junior high school in Bandung in August 2018. This study used a purposive sampling technique and data were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with nine program administrators who were then transcribed and coded based on the PIK-R management guidelines using the NVIVO12 software, observing the program activities and documentations study which were then triangulated. Results: Several indicators in the growing stage had been implemented according to the guidelines, consisting of mastering ARH education materials including HIV/AIDS, conducting activities in the form of providing materials and peer counseling although without a secretariat room, and establishing networks and partnerships. Conclusion: The PIK-R program can be a media for preventing HIV/AIDS among junior high school students in Bandung regardless of resource limitations. Therefore, supports from BKKBN and the school itself is needed to improve the implementation of this program.

According to the 2022 PISA study, the mathematical literacy abilities of Indonesian students remain notably low, with fewer than 1% achieving proficiency levels between 4 and 6. This research employs qualitative methodologies to explore students' mathematical literacy in addressing high-level PISA problems, specifically examining gender-based differences within the context of number pattern topics. The study involved 34 grade VIII students from a public junior high school in Bandung, comprising 16 male and 18 female participants. Data were gathered through the administration of mathematical literacy tests and supplemented by in-depth interviews conducted with teachers and students. The results indicate that students' mathematical literacy is generally weak, largely attributed to their lack of familiarity with solving complex problems and difficulties in progressing beyond identifying initial patterns. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that female students outperformed their male counterparts in tackling high-level PISA problems. To enhance students' mathematical literacy, the study advocates for integrating high-level problems into the learning process. Such integration is anticipated to foster improvements in mathematical literacy, alongside the necessity for schools to implement an operational curriculum prioritising the reinforcement of foundational materials essential for developing this competency.

This study aims to analyze the ability of mathematical representation on cube and cuboid topic in one of the junior high schools in Bandung. The research design used to achieve the objectives of this study is a case study design that is carried out to investigate students' mathematical representation skills. Data was collected from ten grade IX junior high school students through written tests in the form of descriptions and interviews. Based on the results of the data analysis described above, it can be concluded that the mathematical representation ability of grade IX students at one of the State Junior High Schools in Bandung still has many errors. This is because almost all students have not been able to solve the problems given. Two indicators used in this study, namely visual representation and representation of equations or mathematical expressions, there are still many students who solve mathematical problems that are not completed perfectly and some students are still not thorough and impetuous to find solutions to problems so that students are wrong in providing the final result.

This study aims to describe the mathematical literacy skills of junior high school students on the geometry of tubes and cones by applying the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model with a team teaching strategy assisted by Educaplay digital media in terms of student learning styles. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study design. The research subjects consisted of 30 eighth-grade students, with an in-depth analysis focused on three students, each representing a dominant learning style: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The research instruments included a learning style questionnaire, a mathematics literacy test based on local cultural contexts, and semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that visual learners tended to excel in interpreting visual contexts but struggled with abstract mathematical formulation. Auditory learners demonstrated understanding through verbal explanations but showed weaknesses in procedural aspects, while kinesthetic learners exhibited strong spatial reasoning through hands-on experiences. This study reveals that implementing the PBL model, integrated with team teaching strategies and the interactive media Educaplay, positively impacts the development of students’ mathematical literacy, taking into account differences in learning styles and their connection to local cultural contexts.

Since March 11, 2020 the WHO has determined that the covid-19 pandemic is a global pandemic. Most countries in the world are affected by this pandemic, including Indonesia. Covid-19 pandemic has an impact on all aspects including the educational aspect. Limiting social interaction is an anticipation made to reduce the spread of the corona virus. In this case the teaching and learning activities in schools are eliminated, as an alternative, most of the learning is done by e-learning. In this context the research aims to find out mathematics learning through e-learning during the covid-19 pandemic, starting from the preparation of teachers and students, implementation, and evaluation. The research was done in grade 9 of a Junior High School in Bandung. The method used in this research was qualitative with a case study design. The results of the research are: (1) some applications such as WhatsApp, Google Classroom, Zoom, and Google Form can help students to learn mathematics. (2) learning through e-learning can run optimally if the teacher continues to coordinate with the homeroom teacher, learn about platforms in the use of e-learning, and becomes a creative teacher. (3) virtual board is an important platform for learning mathematics.

The ability of mathematical connections is an essential skill that must be mastered by high school students, as it will help master understanding of meaningful concepts and help solve mathematical problems through the interrelationship between mathematical concepts and between mathematical concepts and concepts in other disciplines even with applications in real-life students. This study aims to examine the ability of mathematical connections of students in one junior high school in Bandung on Social Arithmetic materials. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative, with the subject of research is 36 students of class VIII in one of the State Junior High School in Bandung. Instrument given in the form of description test as much as 3 problem each representing indicator ability and analyzed so that get data fulfillment indicator ability of mathematic connection. Based on the data analysis, the students 'mathematical connection ability is still low, so it is necessary to design the learning activities that can facilitate students' mathematical connection ability.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of academic emotions and school belonging toward students’ life satisfaction of students of state junior high school in Bandung. The approach used is a quantitative approach by using causality technique research. Cluster random sampling used as sampling technique. 471 students of state junior high school in Bandung completed the adaptation of Achievement Emotions Questionnaire (AEQ), adaptation of Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM), and adaptation of Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS). Analyses using linear and multiple regression revealed (1) there is a significant effect of positive academic emotions to students’ life satisfaction, (2) there is a significant effect of negative academic emotions to students’ life satisfaction,(3) there is a significant effect of school belonging to students’ life satisfaction, (4) there is a significant effect of positive academic emotions and school belonging to students’ life satisfaction, and (5) there is a significant effect of negative academic emotions and school belonging to students’ life satisfaction.

The research is based on the phenomenon of burnout experienced by the human services profession, especially beginners. The research aims to describe burnout in guidance and counseling millennial teachers born between 1982 and 2003 in Junior High School in Bandung. The approach of the research was quantitative with a survey design. The participants in the study consisted of the guidance and counseling millennial teacher population in Bandung in the number of 27 people. The instruments used in this research were adapted from the Counselor Burnout Inventory developed by Lee et al. (2007) with 18 valid items, and the Cronbach Alpha's was 0.927, in the form of an interval scale. The technical data analysis used parametric statistics to compare the mean scores. The research findings indicate that millennial guidance and counseling teachers at Junior High Schools in Bandung are at a medium level of burnout.

This study aims to analyze the pedagogical competence of mathematics teachers and students' numeracy level in solving numeracy problems. The research was conducted in one junior high school in Bandung using a qualitative approach and case study design. The subjects of this research were 16 students in grade VIII and one math teacher at a junior high school in Bandung. Data were collected through observation, numeracy tests, and interviews. The numeracy test results showed that four students had a low numeracy level, six were medium, and six were high, with an average numeracy score of 70.625, which was in the medium category based on the indicator scale. Observations and interviews revealed that teachers have good pedagogical competence. Teachers can design learning according to the curriculum, use methods that actively involve students, and provide constructive feedback. However, test results show variations in students' numeracy levels that require adaptive learning strategies significantly to help students with low numeracy. This research emphasizes the importance of problem-based and differentiated learning approaches to improve students' overall numeracy ability. In addition, further evaluation of other factors, such as motivation and learning environment, which may affect students' numeracy ability, is needed.

The scenario of 21st century relies heavily on the computer and digital system. Many scholars argued that the implementation of integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in school system will have direct advantages for students, teachers and educational institutions. Therefore, this study is aimed to examine the enhancement of student’s STEM literacy on knowledge aspect after implementing STEM based module on earth’s structure and its dynamics topic. The method of this study was weak experiment pretest-posttest one group only. The subject of this research was one class of 7th grade students that consist of 32 students in one junior high school in Bandung, Indonesia. Developed STEM based module on earth’s structure and its dynamics topic was delivered to students. To measure students’ knowledge enhancement of STEM literacy, a pre-test and a post-test were given to students which consist of 20 multiple choice questions. Specifically, there are 11 questions of science literacy, four questions of technology-engineering literacy and five questions of mathematics literacy. Student’s pre-test and post-test result was analysed by calculating normalized gain and its effect size. The results of this research showed that students’ science literacy enhanced satisfactory (n-gain = 0.35) with 1.10 of effect size (strong effect), technology-engineering literacy shows the highest enhancement of (n-gain = 0.56) means that it also enhanced satisfactory with effect size score is 1.24 (strong effect), and mathematics literacy is the lowest enhancement of (n-gain = 0.32) and is categorized as satisfactory enhancement with effect size of 1.13 (strong effect). To sum up, student’s STEM literacy enhanced satisfactory with strong effect size after the implementation of STEM based module in their learning activity.

Critical thinking ability is an important ability to have. However, students' mathematical critical thinking skills are still low. Efforts that can be applied are through the Metagontive Scaffolding learning approach. The Metcagontive Scaffolding approach has been proven to be able to improve mathematical communication skills, mathematical literacy, and self-efficacy. This study was conducted to test whether Metagontive Scaffolding can improve the mathematical critical thinking skills of junior high school students better than direct learning. This study uses a quasi-experimental method with a nonequivalent control group design. The population in this study were all eighth grade students in one of the public junior high schools in Bandung. This study uses two classes as a sample from a number of class VIII randomly graded. The data in this study were obtained through the results of the answers to students' mathematical critical thinking abilities. significantly compared to students who participated in direct learning

The difference between the students’ conceptions and the conceptual substance has led to a misconception regarding the mixed arithmetic operation on integers. This study aims to describe students’ understanding and to identify learning difficulties related to the mixed operation of integers. This study was a qualitative study with a case study design. The subjects of the study were the students of grade VII of a junior high school in Bandung. The data collection was done through tests, interviews, and curriculum documents. Data analysis is descriptive in general by reposing data, presenting data, and drawing conclusions. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that students have difficulties in understanding the concept of integers and their operation, especially those related to the mixed operations of integers. Based on the data analysis, it can be shown that some students recognize numbers only as a formal symbol in mathematics. Numbers for them are something abstract so they have difficulty when they present these numbers in concrete. Another result is students have difficulty in using mixed operations of integers. Keywords: difficulties of middle school students, mixed operations of integer, understanding