Infinity Journal

Revealing the uniqueness of variations in prospective teachers' metacognitive activities in solving mathematical problems based on gender

2024-04-06T14:03:55+00:00

A significant amount of scholarly investigation has recently focused on metacognitive activity. However, the examination of metacognitive variations in solving math problems that are still limited in scope. This case study examines gender differences in activity variations of metacognitive activities, specifically awareness, regulation, and evaluation, in prospective teachers solving mathematical problems based on mathematical models. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Twelve male and sixteen female participants were chosen from those who participated in the 'capita selecta' mathematics course at a public university in West Java, Indonesia. The data were collected through mathematical problem-solving tasks and interviews. The results show that the variations in metacognitive activities between male and female participants are different. Females tend to be more complex and structured in their evaluation activities, while males tend to be more complex and structured in their awareness activities. Based on the results, recommendations are made for future studies.

Realistic mathematics education (RME) to improve literacy and numeracy skills of elementary school students based on teachers’ experience

2024-03-02T03:07:36+00:00

Literacy and numeracy are the abilities of students to use basic mathematics in solving daily life problems, and students should have it. Various studies have shown that Indonesian students' literacy and numeracy skills still need to improve. One of the solutions to this problem is RME, and one of the components that influence this skill is teachers as a facilitator and their experiences. Thus, this research aims to refigure how students who receive Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) literacy and numeracy skills improve based on teacher's experiences. The research subjects are third, fourth, and fifth-grade students in elementary schools in Padang. Three schools were selected for each grade level and taught by three teachers with different experiences. The students were given literacy and numeracy problems before and after RME instruction. The answers were assessed and grouped to examine the student's literacy and numeracy achievement. The research results show that student's literacy and numeracy skills are better with RME learning. Student's literacy and numeracy skills are not influenced by teachers' experience.

Exploration of ethnomathematics research in Indonesia 2010-2023

2024-03-30T14:31:31+00:00

Ethnomathematics is the finding of mathematics in the cultural values of a place. Indonesia has many kinds of cultures, and ethnomathematics research has been done in some areas of Indonesia. This study aims to identify the cultural forms and mathematical materials found in ethnomathematical research in Indonesia. The research method used is a literature review. The stages of the research method included selecting a topic, developing tools of argumentation, searching the literature, surveying the literature, critiquing the literature, and writing the thesis. The instruments used were Google Scholar, the search engine, and the NVivo application. The number of articles analyzed was 88 articles. These articles represent the culture spread across 34 provinces of Indonesia. The research results obtained are cultural forms containing mathematical material, including ideas, activities, and artifacts. Mathematical materials explored in these cultures include statistics, trigonometry, vector, algebra, arithmetic, one-dimensional geometry, two-dimensional geometry, three-dimensional geometry, coordinate geometry, transformation geometry, calculus, logic, and opportunity. The complexity of the culture and material found in mathematics shows that ethnomathematical research can be developed in all forms of culture and applied in various mathematics learning materials.

Exploring contributing factors to PISA 2022 mathematics achievement: Insights from Indonesian teachers

2024-01-28T01:40:50+00:00

As an international benchmark, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 evaluates the educational performance of 15-year-old students across various countries. It has been observed that the average mathematics score globally declined in 2022. Understanding the responses of mathematics teachers, as practitioners, to the PISA 2022 results is crucial for evaluating the reasons behind this decline in mathematics scores. This research aims to explore and understand the perspectives of Indonesian mathematics teachers on the factors contributing to the low PISA 2022 mathematics scores. This study employs a qualitative approach, with participants being randomly selected and includes interviews with 36 mathematics teachers in Indonesia. According to the statements provided by teachers, the decline in mathematics scores in the 2022 PISA, relative to the years 2018 and 2015, can be attributed to six primary factors: pandemic-related issues, curriculum, individual factors, resource limitations, student factors, and parental involvement. Subsequently, mathematics teachers provided several recommendations for the government, schools, and parents that might enhance student mathematics achievement. These recommendations include conducting more training, improving ICT facilities in schools, and strengthening parental knowledge about the importance of parental support. The findings of this study offer various recommendations that could be implemented by the government, schools, and mathematics teachers to improve student mathematical achievement and potentially increase PISA scores in 2025.

When religion meets mathematics: From mathematical anxiety to mathematical well-being for minority group student

2024-04-30T02:09:44+00:00

The mission of positive psychology is to mitigate negative emotions while bolstering positive ones, thereby influencing student engagement in classroom learning activities, including mathematics. This study elucidates the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach within the framework of Islamic teachings—specifically, inheritance law and charity—in the context of fractions and number operations. Its objective is to alleviate mathematics anxiety, a prevalent negative emotion, and enhance well-being during mathematical learning. Drawing upon flow theory from positive psychology, the research endeavors to optimize mathematical well-being by crafting appropriately challenging questions. Employing a descriptive qualitative methodology, the study focuses on an Indonesian mother and her ten-year-old son, residing in Uithoorn, Amsterdam, Netherlands, belonging to minority groups in ethnicity and identity, with religion being a significant aspect of their lives. Data collection involves observation, interviews, tests, and documentation, with analysis employing data reduction, presentation, triangulation, and verification techniques. The study utilizes socio-religious problems as a context, one of the characteristics of RME, such as inheritance division, to design mathematical challenges. The findings demonstrate a marked transition from math anxiety to math well-being, manifested through heightened enthusiasm and cheerfulness in learning mathematics, particularly by the mother. Noteworthy transformations include increased engagement, generous gestures towards the teacher, and frequent smiling, contrasting with previous instances of math anxiety during learning sessions. Furthermore, the results indicate that RME facilitates comprehension of mathematical concepts and fosters understanding of the intersection between mathematics and Islamic life among minority groups, as detailed in this article.