Early Mathematical Ability Research Articles

Analysis of Early Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability in Mathematics Learning for Junior High School Student

Problem solving ability is one of the mathematical abilities that is very important so that students are able to apply the concepts they have learned. The purpose of this study was to analyze the initial ability of mathematical problem solving in mathematics learning of eighth grade students of junior high school. this is seen from the indicators as follows; 1) Identifying the elements that are known, asked, and the adequacy of the elements needed, 2) Formulating problems or compiling mathematical models, 3) Implementing strategies to solve various problems inside or outside mathematics, and 4) Summing up the results. The instrument used in this study was a preliminary test of students’ mathematical problem-solving abilities with questions as many as 3 items and a research sample of 32 people in the first school and 30 people in the second school. Assessment of students’ mathematical problem solving ability tests is based on a scoring rubric of mathematical problem solving abilities. Based on the results of this study, the percentage of students’ mathematical problem solving abilities was 18.95% and 14.57. The results of this study indicate the low ability of students to solve mathematical problems and the need for further action to improve them.

Piecing together the role of a spatial assembly intervention in preschoolers' spatial and mathematics learning: Influences of gesture, spatial language, and socioeconomic status.

Spatial skills are associated with mathematics skills, but it is unclear if spatial training transfers to mathematics skills for preschoolers, especially from underserved communities. The current study tested (a) whether spatial training benefited preschoolers' spatial and mathematics skills, (b) if the type of feedback provided during spatial training differentially influenced children's spatial and mathematics skills, and (c) if the spatial training's effects varied by socioeconomic status (SES). Preschoolers (N = 187) were randomly assigned to either a 'business-as-usual' control or one of three spatial training groups (modeling and feedback [MF]; gesture feedback [GF]; spatial language feedback [SLF]). Three-year-olds were trained to construct puzzles to match a model composed of various geometric shapes. New models were created similar to the 2-dimensional trials of the Test of Spatial Assembly (TOSA). Training was given once per week for 5 weeks. Preschoolers were pretested and posttested on 2D and 3D TOSA trials, spatial vocabulary, shape identification, and 2 mathematics assessments. Results indicate that first, any spatial training improved preschoolers' 2D TOSA performance, although a significant interaction with SES indicated improvement was driven by low-SES children. Furthermore, low-SES children showed greatest gains on the 2D TOSA with MF and GF. Second, MF and GF improved low-SES children's performance on the 3D TOSA. Third, only low-SES children with MF saw improvements in far-transfer to mathematics (Woodcock-Johnson: Applied Problems, but not the Test of Early Mathematical Ability). Results indicate that, especially for low-income learners, spatial training can improve children's early spatial and mathematics skills. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

EFEKTIFITAS GAME POWERPOINT DALAM MENGEMBANGKAN KEMAMPUAN MATEMATIKA PERMULAAN DI TK ASYOFA PADANG

This study aims at determining the effectiveness of powerpoint games in developing initial mathematical abilities. The approach used was quantitative with a quasi experimental method type pretest-posttest group design. The population of this study was all of the group B early young learners in Koto Tangah Subdistrict, Padang City 2018/2019 academic year. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling with a total sample of 30 children. The data were collected by using an initial mathematical ability test adopted from REMA the Research Based Early Mathematics Assessment. Data analysis technique was an independent t-test, seeing a comparison of differences in average scores. The result shows that powerpoint games were effective in developing early mathematical abilities in the experimental group compared to the control group. The use of powerpoint games can be an alternative learning media in developing other aspects of development.

The Profile of Junior High School Students’ Mathematical Creative Thinking Skills in Solving Problem through Contextual Teaching

The purpose of this study was to describe the profile of students’ mathematical creative thinking skills in solving problems through contextual learning based on high, medium, or low initial abilities. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative. There were 6 research subjects of junior high school students in the border area of Malang and Blitar Regencies. Data collection was done by observation, tests, and interviews. The results of this study are (1) High-ability students can fulfill three indicators; those are fluency, flexibility, and novelty according to the material, so that they are in the very creative category. There are high ability students who fulfill two indicators; those are fluency and flexibility well based on the material, so that they are in the creative category. (2) Middle-ability students can fulfill an indicator namely flexibility according to the material, so that they are in the category of quite creative. (3) Low ability students can fulfill two indicators, namely fluency and flexibility well based on the material, so that they are in the creative category. (4) The profile of students’ mathematical creative thinking skill in solving problems through contextual learning based on early mathematical abilities was different. The profile of students’ creative thinking skills is expected to be a teacher’s reference to determine appropriate assignments and assessments to be given to students.

Differences Problem Solving Ability Use Model Blended Learning Based Problem on Relation and Functions

This research aims to identify differences in students problem-solving abilities after applying blended learning based problems and to see the interaction between learning models and early mathematical ability on the student for problem-solving ability. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a sample of 61 students with class VIII-A totaling 30 students as an experimental class and class VIII-B totaling 31 students as a control class. The data to be collected in this study is the data of students' problem solving abilities. The instrument used to collect the data was a problem-solving ability test. The data collected is then analyzed using the two paths ANOVA in the SPSS program. Based on the results of data analysis, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference between problem-based mixed learning models and conventional learning on students' problem-solving abilities.

Increasing mathematical communication skill using Quantum Teaching based on Hypnoteaching (QTH) in the Primary School Teacher Education (PSTE) students

The lack of mathematical communication ability of the students is the result of less precisely applied learning model. Quantum Teaching based on hypnoteaching is a learning that is expected to improve student’s mathematical communication because by this model the material is explained in an effective and efficient way, and also the provision of hypnoteaching during learning its cause students eager to learn. This study is an experimental research. There are 50 seventh semester students of PSTE student as sample in this experiment selected randomly. An experimental class is provided with Quantum Teaching based on hypnoteaching (QTH), and a control class is given Ordinary Learning (OL). The instruments used are: test, observation sheet, and interview guide. Techniques of data analysis in this study using two-way Analysis of Variance with unequal cells. The result of this research is QTH learning have a better mathematical communication ability than student with OL. Based on the level of early mathematical ability (high, medium, and low), medium and low-ability students show significant differences, but not for high-ability students. Based on the response shown through the test, students with QTH showed an activity, and better Ability compared to OL.

Effect of Inquiry-Based Mathematics Activities on Preschoolers' Math Skills

Practice: An Inquiry-Based Mathematics Activities Module (IBMAM) was developed in accordance with the developmental characteristics, interests, needs, and expectations of preschoolers. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the IBMAM on preschoolers’ numbers and operations skills. A quasi-experimental method, which was a pretest-posttest design with control group, was used. The students of a kindergarten were randomly assigned to three groups: experimental, control, and placebo. Measurements were made on the three groups before and after the IBMAM. The study took place in the academic year of 2016-2017, and the sample consisted of 57 students (19 participants in each group) of a kindergarten in Sincan, Ankara, affiliated to the Ministry of National Education. Interviews were conducted with 18 kindergartens in the same district for the needs analysis. The kindergarten was the study field of choice due to its sufficient number of students and low socioeconomic status and to the students’ willingness to participate in the study. Math activities were performed in three classes with children 60–72 months of age. For 6 weeks, the experimental group performed the 30-activity IBMAM, the control group performed no activities, and the placebo group performed Turkish reading activities unrelated to mathematics (TRAUM). Data were collected using the Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA-3). In the current study, 3x3 (three groups: experiment, control, placebo groups with 3 measurements: pretest, posttest, follow up test) experimental mixed design (factorial-split-plot) ANOVA was performed to determine the effect of IBMAM on preschoolers’ math skills. Research Findings: Results show that the IBMAM had a positive and lasting effect on preschoolers’ number and operations skills. IBMAM provided the experimental group participants with the opportunity to be engaged in small-group activities in which they were able to have math experiences and inquire about them. This process allowed them to enhance math concepts, learn new ones, and learned in meaningful ways in which they used their math skills. They structured the concepts and skills that they had learned by inquiring, researching, and experiencing, which promoted their curiosity and interest in learning.

Building the Early Number Sense of Kindergarteners With Autism: A Replication Study

This study reports findings of a systematic replication and as such sought to evaluate effects of an early numeracy curriculum on early number sense attainment for Kindergarten students with autism. Through daily 15-min story-based math lessons with embedded systematic instruction delivered by their classroom teacher, participants learned to compare sets, identify and work with patterns, and use standard and nonstandard measurement, and calendar skills. Results indicate a functional relation between the intervention and early number sense, and students were able to generalize skills when systematic instruction was faded. Similar results were mirrored by pre–post standardized norm-referenced measures of early mathematics abilities. Implementation of the curriculum had positive results on the teacher’s perception of self-efficacy. The study’s contribution to research, recommendations for practice, and implications for future research are discussed.

Pengaruh Permainan Konstruktif dan Kecerdasan Visual- Spasial Terhadap Kemampuan Matematika Awal Anak Usia Dini

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of constructive play and visual-spatial intelligence on early mathematical abilities. The approach used is quantitative through an experimental method with 2x2 treatment by level design. This research was conducted on children in kindergarten group B in the city of Padang. The sampling technique uses Stratified cluster random sampling. The number of samples in this study were 40 children. Data collection in this study used an initial mathematical ability test and a spatial visual intelligence test. The data analysis technique in this study used two-way ANOVA to see the main effects and interactions, then using the Tukey test to see simple effects. The results of this study are as follows: 1) Early mathematical abilities provided with constructive games Lego have a higher influence than constructive games Beams (Fhitung= 5,16 > Ftabe (α=0,05)= 4,04). 2) There is an interaction between constructive play and spatial visual intelligence, in general it has a significant effect on the early math skills of kindergarten children in group B (Fhitung = 13,34 > Ftabel (α=0,05) = 4,04). 3) Early mathematical abilities that have high spatial visual intelligence with given constructive games Lego are higher than the initial mathematical abilities with constructive games (Qhitung = 4,24 > Qtabel (α=0,05) = 3,15). 4) Early mathematical abilities that have low spatial visual intelligence with given constructive games Beams have a higher value than the initial mathematical abilities given by constructive games Lego (Qhitung = -2,30 > Qtabel (α=0,05) = -3,15).

Assessing Mathematical School Readiness.

Early math skills matter for later formal mathematical performances, academic and professional success. Accordingly, it is important to accurately assess mathematical school readiness (MSR) at the beginning of elementary school. This would help identifying children who are at risk of encountering difficulties in math and then stimulate their acquisition of mathematical skills as soon as possible. In the present study, we present a new test that allows professionals working with children (e.g., teachers, school psychologists, speech therapists, and school doctors) to assess children’s MSR when they enter formal schooling in a simple, rapid and efficient manner. 346 children were assessed at the beginning of 1st Grade (6-to-7-year-olds) with a collective test assessing early mathematical abilities (T1). In addition, children’s math skills were evaluated with classical curriculum math tests at T1 and a year later, in 2nd Grade (T2, 7-to-8-year-olds). After assessing internal consistency, three tasks were retained for the final version of the MSR test. Test performance confirmed to be essentially unidimensional and systematically related to the scores children obtained in classical tests in 1st and 2nd Grade. By using the present MSR test, it is possible to identify pupils at risk of developing low math skills right from the start of formal schooling in 1st Grade. Such a tool is needed, as children’s level in math at school beginning (or school readiness) is known to be foundational for their future academic and professional carrier.

PENGGUNAAN MEDIA BALOK KUBUS UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN MATEMATIK LOGIS ANAK USIA DINI DI TK NASYWA BANDUNG

This research originated from the problem of low logical mathematical abilities of children and Bandung. This is what underlies the formulation of the problem (1) What is the objective condition of the logical mathematical abilities of early childhood in group A TK Nasywa Bandung? (2) How does the implementation of early childhood logical mathematical ability learning through cubical blocks in group A TK Nasywa Bandung? (3) How to improve the logical mathematical abilities of early childhood after using cuboid beam media in group A Nasywa Bandung Kindergarten? The research objective was to obtain an overview of the use of cubic beam media to improve the logical mathematical abilities of early childhood in group A Nasywa Kindergarten Bandung. The method used in this research is classroom action research (CAR), which is carried out in three cycles using 12 research subjects. This study uses data collection techniques, observation and documentation. Preliminary observations of logical mathematical abilities with an assessment of Not Developing amounted to 73%, Started to Grow by 26% and Developed Very Good by 1%. However, after using cubical beam media, children's logical mathematical abilities show optimal abilities. Percentage of logical mathematical ability of children of assessment has not developed by 0%, started to develop by 25% and develops very well by 75%. Based on these data, recommendations given to child educators can be an alternative medium to improve the logical mathematical abilities of early childhood.

PENGARUH PEMBELAJARAN RIGOROUS MATHEMATICAL THINKING (RMT) TERHADAP BEBAN KOGNITIF KONSTRUKTIF DAN KOMPETENSI STRATEGIS MATEMATIS SISWA DI PONDOK PESANTREN

Mathematical Strategic C ompetenc e (MSC) is one of the components of Mathematics Proficiency needed in learning mathematics. After learning of mathematics sometimes students haven't been able to have MSC . So it takes an intruction to learning strategic competence of mathematical students. One of the intruction s that can be used, namely the Rigorous Mathematical Thinking (RMT) intruction . RMT can also mediate the intruction makes it easy to process the received knowledge with the cognitive burden of providing the opportunity for constructive happens automatically to students. This study aims to know the effect RMT to MSC and M athematical G ermane C ognitive L oad. This study is the research of design experiment al with Treatment by Level 2x3 model Group Within Treatment (GWT). The subject is the class XI boarding schools Daar el-Qolam 1 (DQ1), DQ2 and DQ3 DQ4, who were randomized into 8 groups, namely: each one experimental class DQ1 , DQ2 , DQ3, DQ4 and control class one DQ 1, DQ 2, DQ 3 and DQ4. The analysis of the data using analysis of variance (An o va) two way model GWT. The study results obtained (1) the Learning intruction alone does not e ffect the MCS of students, (2) Early Mathematics Ability (EMA) alone does not e ffect the MCS students, (3) there is the influence of the interactions between the learning intruction and EMA e ffect the MCS students. It appears also that the Group has no e ffect the MCS students, ( 4) students who were given RMT intruction is lower than direct intruction to students with high EMA , (5) students who were given RMT intruction is higher than direct intruction to students with medium EMA, (6) students who were given RMT intruction is lower than direct intruction to students with low EMA , (7) Germane Cognitive Load does e ffect students RMT intruction . Keywords: Rigorous Mathematical Thinking, Mathematical Competence Strategic, Mathematical Germane Cognitive Load and Boarding Schools

Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Index Card Match (ICM) dengan Problem Posing Berbantuan Software MATLAB terhadap Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Index Card Match (ICM) learning model with Problem Posing approach and assisted by MATLAB software to improve problem-solving abilities both overall and reviewed from the students' early mathematical abilities. This research is quasi-experiment research with non-equivalent control group design. The population in this study is all students of class XI SMA N 2 Kuningan, with purposive sampling technique took two classes as a sample. The result of data analysis shows the average of students' initial problem-solving ability in the experimental group is equal to the average of students' initial ability in the control group with a significance value are 0.212. After the treatment, there are differences in problem-solving ability in the experimental class and control class that are 3.38 and p-value of -2.563 with asymp. sig 0.010, the rejection for H0 which means the ability to solve mathematical problems in the experimental class is better than the class control. But there aren’t differences in problem-solving abilities in the experimental class and control class with p-value 0.515 and sig 0.476, the acception for H0 which means there aren’t differences the improvement of mathematical problem-solving ability in the experimental class and the control class.

Spontaneous focusing on Arabic number symbols and its association with early mathematical competencies

Many studies have investigated the association between children’s spontaneous attention to number and their early mathematical abilities. This work has presented number in a non-symbolic format by exclusively using numerosities as their stimuli. Therefore, little is known about children’s spontaneous attention for Arabic number symbols. We aimed to address this gap by exploring, for the first time, whether we can observe individual differences in young children’s tendency to spontaneously focus their attention on Arabic number symbols (SFONS) using a newly developed Picture task. We investigated SFONS and its association with spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON), numerical abilities, and teacher ratings of mathematical competence in the three years of Flemish kindergarten. One hundred and eleven kindergartners (2 years 4 months – 6 years 2 months of age) completed a battery of tasks to measure their SFONS and SFON, as well as a range of numerical abilities (i.e., Arabic numeral identification, verbal counting, and counting objects). Kindergarten teachers were asked to rate their children’s mathematical competence on a 4-point Likert scale. Findings revealed that children in the three kindergarten years under study largely differed in their tendency to spontaneously attend to Arabic number symbols in the pictures they had to describe. We also observed differences in the levels of SFONS and SFON between the three kindergarten years. Although SFONS and SFON were not strongly associated in the three kindergarten years, significant associations were found between children’s SFONS and their numerical abilities in kindergarten year 1 and 2, and teacher ratings of their mathematical competence in kindergarten year 3. Together, these results suggest that SFONS is a relevant component of children’s early mathematical development.

Towards a better understanding of the link between executive functions, early literacy, and emergent mathematical abilities

Abstract The aim of the current study was two-fold. It aimed (i) to examine how a multi-component task, as well as more specific executive function (EF) tasks, are related to a wide range of early literacy (phonological awareness, orthographic knowledge, word writing) and emergent mathematical abilities; and (ii) to broaden our understanding of the similar (domain-general) or differential (domain-specific) nature of these relations. The study was conducted in the northern part of Israel. Our results indicated that the multi-component task Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders, which taps most EF components (attentional control, inhibition, shifting, and working memory) significantly contributed to most domains of preschool academic development. These included orthographic knowledge and emergent mathematical abilities even after controlling for the role of background cognitive skills. The findings showed that EF tasks have domain-general predictive power for pre-academic abilities that are less automatic and require more effortful processing of information such as word writing at preschool age. Moreover, our results provide clear empirical evidence for the psychometric validity of the multi-component task as a tool that can assess individual differences in EFs for the early identification of children at risk for academic difficulties. This finding can contribute to practitioners searching for an ecologically valid, age-appropriate, and age-sensitive measure of EF abilities as a diagnostic tool.

Perbedaan Peningkatan Kemampuan Representasi Matematis dan Self Confidence Siswa pada Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah dan Pembelajaran Biasa

This study aimed to determine the difference in the improvement of students' mathematical representation ability in problem-based learning (PBL) and regular learning as well as to determine the difference in the improvement of students' self confidence in PBL and regular learning. In addition, to find out whether there was an interaction between learning and students' early mathematical ability toward the improvement of students' mathematical representation ability and whether there was an interaction between learning and students' early mathematical ability toward students' self confidence. The population was all students of SMP Negeri 1 Lhokseumawe. The sample was taken randomly as many as 2 classes which were consisted of 60 students. Data analysis was conducted by using Two way ANAVA. The conclusion were (1) the ability improvement of mathematical representation of students given a PBL model was higher than students given regular learning. (2) the improvement of students' self confidence given a PBL model was higher than students given regular learning. (3) There was no interaction between the learning model and students' early mathematical ability toward the improvement of students' mathematical representation skill. (4) There was no interaction between learning model and students' early methematical ability toward the improvement of students' self confidence.
 Keywords: Problem based learning model, regular learning, mathematical representation, and self confidence.

Influence of Problem Based Learning Model and Early Mathematics Ability to Mathematical Communication Skills and Self-Confidence in Junior High School

This study aims to determine: (1) the effect of problem based learning model on students mathematical communication skills, (2) the effect of problem based learning model on students self-confidence, (3) the interaction between learning models (problem based learning and conventional learning) and early mathematics ability to students mathematical communication skills, and (4) the interaction between learning models (problem based learning and conventional learning) and early mathematics ability to student's self-confidence. This study is a quasi-experimental research. The population in this study were all students of class VIII junior high school 2 Tanjung Pura consisting of six classes. Samples were selected by simple random sampling as much as two classes. The selected class is VIII-2 as the experimental class (31 students) and VIII-1 as the control class (32 students). The instruments used are mathematical communication skills test, early mathematics ability test, self-confidence questionnaire. Data obtained from the research instruments were analyzed using two-way ANOVA by SPSS program. The results showed that: (1) there is significant effect of problem based learning model to students mathematical communication skill, (2) there is a significant effect of problem based learning model to students self-confidence, (3) there is interaction between learning models (problem based learning and conventional learning) and early mathematics ability to students' mathematical communication skills, (4) there is interaction between learning models (problem based learning and conventional learning) and early mathematics ability to student's self-confidence.

Early mathematics learning in reading and writing numerals: Learning through “What are the numbers?” A picture book made up of Flora and Fauna in Borneo

Learning through picture books is a method which is widely used in preschools to teach mathematics. However, the research findings on the benefits of using picture books in learning mathematics remain inconclusive. This study aimed to i) investigate the effects of a picture book entitled “What are the numbers?” (a picture book made up flora and fauna in Borneo) on early mathematics achievement (reading and writing numerals up to 20) and ii) to get feedback on how appropriate the use of “what are the numbers” from teachers and parents. The book consists elements of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creative thinking. The effects were measured by comparing the change in early mathematical ability of children in reading and writing numerals up to 20 by using the Rasch measurement model. The mean of the pre-test achievement was -1.99 logits and the mean of the post-test achievement was 1.75 logits which shows a difference of 3.74 logits. The effect size of the difference between the post-test and pre-test achievement was 1.4, which is considered large. Teachers and parents gave positive feedback on the use of the picture book. They commented that the picture book is able to attract children’s attention, enhance their thinking skills and nurture creativity among children. In conclusion, the picture book based on the 4C approach enhanced early mathematics achievement of children.

INCREASING COMMUNICATION AND CAPABILITY MATHEMATIC DISPOSITION OF SMA STUDENTS THROUGH EXPLORATION APPROACH

This study is a quasi experimental research, which aims to examine the achievement and improvement of communication skills and creative thinking and mathematical disposition of high school students through an exploratory approach. The sample consists of 2 classes amounting to 68 students of class XI one high school in West Bandung. Instruments in this study are each set of test description of the ability of mathematical communication, and a set of mathematical disposition scale. The study found that the achievement of mathematical communication ability of high school students who received learning with exploratory approach is better than those who received regular learning reviewed in whole and the students' early mathematical ability. Likewise, the improvement of mathematical communication ability of high school students who received learning with better exploration approach than those who received regular learning reviewed in whole and early mathematical ability of their students. However, there was no interaction between the exploration approach and the students' early mathematical ability that resulted in communication skills and mathematical disposition students. For the achievement of mathematical disposition ability of students whose learning using exploratory approach is better than students with ordinary learning reviewed overall and early mathematical ability, but there is no interaction of exploration approach and KAM that resulted in mathematical disposition of students. Besides, there is also a considerable relation between communication ability and mathematical disposition of students.

Dimensionality of preschoolers’ informal mathematical abilities

Recent research examining children’s early mathematical abilities has focused primarily on number and operations (e.g., counting, addition) with considerably less attention directed to the role of other possible dimensions of early mathematical abilities, such as, measurement, geometry, and patterning. The current study examined the dimensionality of informal mathematical abilities by conducting categorical confirmatory factor analysis (CCFA) using data from a large sample of preschool children from low-income families (N = 1630; Mean age = 4.46 years, SD = .37) using the Child Math Assessment (CMA; Klein & Starkey, 2004). The best fitting model consisted of four factors that include Number and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, and Patterning, with the Number and Operations factor explaining common variance in three first-order factors of Numbering, Operations, and Relations. These findings support the view that informal mathematical knowledge is a multi-dimensional construct that includes of these separable dimensions. Additionally, a Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes model was used to determine if mathematical ability differed for male and female preschoolers on each of the four factors or on each of the 35 items of the CMA. Results showed no differences for mathematical abilities between males and females at this age. Future research and curricular implications are discussed.