The Solving of Calculus Problem Based on Polya's Steps: An Investigation on Pre-Service Teachers with Low Self-Efficacy

Abstract

In some researches, self-efficacy was found to relate to students’ mathematics achievement. This present research was aimed to describe the ability of pre-service teachers with low self-efficacy in solving the mathematics problems based on Polya’s steps, which are understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back. This descriptive qualitative research was done on first-year of the pre-service teacher in Mathematics Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Lampung. The subjects were 26 students with low self-efficacy. The problem-solving ability was measured by Calculus Problem Solving Test and interview guidelines as the triangulation. This research results showed that pre-service teachers with low self-efficacy were not able to understand the problem. It implied students make mistakes in devising and carrying out the plan and were not able to look back. This research concluded that pre-service teachers with low self-efficacy were not able to solve the mathematics problems based on Polya’s steps. The recommendation of this research was how to understand the problem should get full attention in the learning process to increase the ability of the pre-service teacher in solving mathematics problems.