The Involvement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Learning in an APOS Analysis of Students’ Mathematical Understanding

Achmad Mudrikah,Nandang Arif Saefuloh

doi:10.22158/jecs.v4n2p105

Abstract

This article was reported as a research that involved Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning by using APOS theory framework to investigate Students’ Mathematical Understanding of sine rule and cosine rule concept. Sine rule and cosine rule concepts are taught to eleven-grade senior high school students in Indonesia. Students’ responses to five trigonometric problems involving sine rule and cosine rule were analyzed through this article. This study has confirmed that sine rule and cosine rule concept can be understood through STEM learning engagement because it has enabled students to obtain the appropriate mental structure at the action, process, object and schema levels. However, sustainable development needs to be done to improve mathematics learning that can build mental structures needed by students to understand mathematical concepts.

Highlights

In grade 11 Indonesian students were asked to master Trigonometry material about sine rule, cosine rule and triangle area
The STEM learning approach involved in this research is a mathematics lesson plan using mathematical kit which is designed to make students engage in the Actions phase as part of APOS theory. 1.2 APOS Theory in The Sine and Cosine Rule Concepts To Build the APOS mental structure consisting of action, process, object, and schema, Dubinsky and Weller stated that the main mental mechanism are Interiorization and encapsulation (Arnon et al, 2013)
Even there are still many among students who have not been able to reach the level of action at all. It appears that STEM learning assisted by mathematical kit along with student activity sheets were able to build mental structures at action and process levels

Summary

Introduction

In grade 11 Indonesian students were asked to master Trigonometry material about sine rule, cosine rule and triangle area. Exercises are activities in the form of giving fairly standard problems with the aim of strengthening computer activities that are replaced by STEM learning activities and classroom discussion These exercises help to support the development of further mental constructs suggested by the genetic decomposition. STEM learning are activities that replaces computer activities in what Dubinsky formulated as supporting the activation of mental mechanisms in the form of interiorization and encapsulation These activities will lead to the development of mental structures in the form of Process and Object which are the basis for the formation of mathematical concepts (Arnon et al, 2013; and Bybee, 2010). 1.2 APOS Theory in The Sine and Cosine Rule Concepts To Build the APOS mental structure consisting of action, process, object, and schema, Dubinsky and Weller stated that the main mental mechanism are Interiorization and encapsulation (Arnon et al, 2013).

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Results

Conclusion