This paper examines the use of contextual problems to support mathematical learning based on current classroom practice. The use contextual problems offers some potentials to engage and motivate students in learning mathematics but it also presents some challenges for students in classrooms. Examples of the use of contextual problems from several primary classrooms in Indonesia will be discussed. Contextual problems do not lend themselves to a meaningful learning for students. Teachers need to engage students in interpreting the context in order to explore key mathematical ideas. It is critical to establish explicit links between the context and the mathematics ideas to support students' progression in their mathematical thinking.
Keyword: Contextual Problems, Context, Mathematical LearningAbstrak Makalah ini membahas penggunaan masalah kontekstual untuk mendukung pembelajaran matematika berdasarkan pada praktek pengajaran terkini. Masalah penggunaan kontekstual menawarkan beberapa potensi untuk terlibat dan memotivasi siswa dalam belajar matematika tetapi juga menyajikan beberapa tantangan bagi siswa di kelas. Contoh penggunaan masalah kontekstual dari kelas utama beberapa di Indonesia akan dibahas. Masalah kontekstual tidak meminjamkan diri untuk belajar bermakna bagi siswa. Guru perlu melibatkan para siswa dalam menafsirkan konteks untuk mengeksplorasi ide-ide matematika kunci. Hal ini penting untuk membangun hubungan eksplisit antara konteks dan ide-ide matematika untuk mendukung perkembangan siswa dalam berpikir matematika mereka.
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