Improving Students’ Problem Solving Skill in Mathematics Through Writing

Abstract

This article describes the implementation of writing in Mathematics as an effort to improve students’ problem solving skill. The research method was classroom action research which was conducted in three cycles. Research participants were 24 first-year students at PGSD FKIP Syiah Kuala University. Data was collected using a written test consisted of mathematical word problems presented to the students at the end of each cycle, and interview. Students’ problem solving skill was analyzed based on the four steps of problem solving proposed by Polya: 1. the ability to understand the problem, 2. the ability to plan a strategy to solve the problem, 3. the ability to execute the plan, and 4. the ability to re-check. Result shows that writing in Mathematics improve students’ problem solving skill. In cycle 1, the average score of students’ problem solving skill was 51.7. In cycle 2, the average score was 75.6, and finally in cycle 3, the average score was 83.4. During interview, the students confessed that writing helped them organize their thinking so that they can solve a problem satisfactorily.

Pengaruh Model Two Stay Two Stray Terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa Kelas II SD

“…Faktor lain yang menjadi hambatan pembelajaran matematika yaitu tingkat kemampuan dan kecerdasan siswa yang beraneka ragam (Vitoria & Monawati, 2016). Hal ini menuntut siswa untuk belajar lebih giat daripada siswa yang sudah memiliki kemampuan di atas rata-rata.…”

Improving Mathematics Learning Outcomes Through Problem Based Instruction

“…This is in line with the most important target in education in the modern era, to teach and direct students to overcome any problems they are facing because they can overcome them (Sezgin & Çalýskan, 2008) . Therefore, it means that not always students in the implementation of mathematics learning are required to memorize all formulas or formulas in mathematics but the most important thing is the basic calculation skills that must be mastered to be able to solve problems (Vitoria & Monawati, 2016). So it is better if students memorize formulas combined with several problems that students may have experienced in their lives, so that the mathematics objectives previously described can be achieved because learning mathematics in schools is not only for increasing numeracy skills but also for solving problems (Lidinillah, 2008).…”