Utilizing task with scaffolding: growth of students' mathematical understanding from layers of image having to property noticing

Abstract

Introduction. Learning mathematics accompanied by understanding is an essential component of factual and procedural knowledge skills practical for students in solving real-life problems. Errors in solving systems of linear equations in two variables (SPLDV) among students can be caused by various factors, including students' lack of understanding of this concept, so this problem must be studied in depth by utilizing task with scaffolding. The research aimed to explore the potential of a task to foster mathematical understanding of students from the image-having layer to the property noticing layer in the learning context of a system of linear equations in two variables (SPLDV). Study participants and methods. The study involved three students in grade 8 at a junior high school in Indonesia. They were selected based on their mathematical ability (low, moderate, and high) based on their accumulated score reports in grade 7 and information from the teacher who taught them. This study employed a qualitative research approach, data collection was carried out by giving task to students, observing, and interviews them while doing the task, and data analysis began with transcription and organizing the results of interviews and student task, followed by identification and classification of difficulties faced by students. The results. The study showed that student with low mathematical ability has difficulty recognizing patterns or relationships between coefficients and variables in equations. Even with the help of scaffolding, the student still did not succeed in strengthening her understanding to complete the task given, so her understanding only shifted slightly from the image having layer and could not move completely to the property noticing layer. Next, a student with moderate mathematical ability had a sufficient understanding of the concept of variables and coefficients. However, she still needed additional help to complete task, especially in determining the value of variable. She was observed to be already at the property noticing layer of understanding because she had been able to identify the property of two linear equations in two variables that is equivalence and complete the task given. Lastly, the student with high mathematical ability could understand the relevant mathematical concepts well. She could complete the task assigned well despite folding back and scaffolding. Thus, this student's understanding reached the property noticing layer. Conclusions. The research showed differences in the growth of mathematical understanding from the image having layer to the property noticing layer among junior high school students with low, medium, and high mathematical ability. The student with lower math skills was only slightly shifted from the image having layer and could not be transferred completely to the property noticing layer. The student with moderate mathematical ability had reached the layer of understanding properties because she was able to identify equivalent properties of two linear equations in two variables and complete the given task. Lastly, the student with high mathematical skills has reached the layer of property noticing.