The analysis of reflective thinking ability in junior high school students

Abstract

Mathematical reflective thinking ability are one of the determinants of students’ success in solving mathematical problems. This descriptive research aims to figure out students’ reflective thinking ability at the two-variable linear equations system material. The subjects of this research were Junior High School students who were selected using purposive sampling. This research involves 92 students of the eighth grade of some State Junior High Schools in Bandar Lampung. The schools were SMP Negeri 4 that has a high category with 34 students, SMP Negeri 8 that has a medium category with 28 students, and SMP Negeri 22 with low category which is 30 students. The Data was taken through reflective thinking ability test which consists of 4 essays that involved 3 indicators of reflective thinking, namely reacting, comparing, and contemplating. In order to obtain a comprehensive description related to the ability of reflective thinking in students of SMP Negeri in Bandar Lampung, the data was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The result of the research shows that students’ reflective thinking ability are still not optimal with the average score far below the reflective thinking ability, which is 51,59. It can be seen from the majority of students who still get difficulties in building a deep self-understand of problem, inability to deliver what has been understood in a certain reason, as well as inability in concluding a proper answer.