The quality of learning materials through mathematics reaslitic to improve students’ mathematical communication ability in the elementary school

Abstract

Learning mathematics aims to help students in solving daily-life problems. Therefore, students require mathematical communication ability. In fact, the mathematical communication ability of students in Indonesia is low. Mathematical communication ability can be enhanced by applying realistic mathematics in which students are engaged to be active in learning using real problems. Islamic context can be used as a real context for Acehnese student embracing Islamic culture. The learning materials incorporated with Islamic context is currently limited in mathematics learning. Thus, it is necessary to develop learning materials using realistic mathematics incorporating Islamic nuances to improve students’ communication ability. This study is the research and development, only focused on the validity and practicality of the learning materials. The participant was Grade 5 students at the integrated Islamic elementary school, in Aceh Besar, Indonesia. The products of this study were a lesson plan, a student worksheet, and a communication test. The results showed the average score of the lesson plan, worksheet and test were 3.7, 3.6, and 3.8 respectively. It means learning materials is fulfill valid criteria. The average score of the implementation process is 3.5. It means learning materials was fulfill practical criteria. The further research can use the learning materials to test their effectiveness.