Students’ mathematics problem-solving skills through the application of Problem-Based Learning model

Abstract

Education aims to foster a variety of potential which exists in human, including the potential to solve any problems, involving solving mathematical problems. This study aimed to describe students’ problem-solving skills during mathematics learning about social arithmetic through Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model. The subjects of this research were 32 Year 7 students in Banda Aceh. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. Data collection was conducted by problem-solving skills test and interview. The interview data were analysed descriptively, while the data of the test results were analysed based on the assessment guideline of students’ problem-solving skills. It was found that students’ mathematical problem-solving skills through PBL model were already classified as good. High-achieving students of problem-solving skills solved the problem by understanding the problem, planning the solution, doing the solution and rechecking it. Middle-achieving students of problem-solving skills solved the problem by understanding the problem, planning the solution and doing the solution without rechecking it so they get incorrect results. Low-achieving students of problem-solving skills solved the problem by understanding the problem and planning the solution, yet they presented the incorrect solution and did not recheck it. PBL model can be used to improve students’ problem-solving abilities.

Profile of High School Students' Problem-Solving Skills and the Application of Problem-Based Learning: A Preliminary Study

“…According to the findings of the interviews, teachers have trained students in problem-solving skills in chemistry study by implementing the PBL model. This model is a designed learning model which can help student improve their capacity for problem-solving (Suryani et al, 2020;Valdez & Bungihan, 2019). However, in this preliminary study, it was found that the mastery of these skills was still low, namely the dominant ones were in the poor and very poor categories with a percentage of 67.93%.…”

Middle School Mathematics Achievement

“…The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) (2000) refers to mathematical problem solving as mathematical tasks designed to provide intellectual challenges for strengthening students' math understanding. There has been growing agreement among math educators that teaching mathematics through problem solving fosters students' learning because it provides opportunities for students to play a very active role in their mathematics learning by exploring real life situations and developing their own strategies to come up with solutions (Suryani et al, 2020;Cai, 2003Cai, , 2010Hiebert et al, 2002;Lesh & Doerr, 2013;Lester, 2013;Schoenfeld, 1994). Such research has revealed that problem-solving approaches enhance the development of the logical thinking aspects of mathematics and contribute to its practical use (Resnick, 1987).…”

The physics problem solving skills profile of high school students in elasticity material and the implementation of augmented reality book-assisted PBL model

“…Research Objective Research Results (Suryani et al, 2020) Indicates students' PSS about social arithmetic through models PBL.…”