The Enhancement of Students' Mathematical Problem Solving Ability through Contextual Approach with Bamboo Dance Technique

摘要

This study is based on students' lack of ability in mathematical problem solving. To overcome such problems, a mathematics teaching and learning was conducted through learning with contextual approach by using bamboo dance technique. The study reported in this paper discusses about the enhancement of mathematical problem solving between students who were taught by contextual learning by bamboo dance technique and students who were taught by direct learning at school levels. The method of this study was quasi experimental study. The design of the study used Pre test-Posttest Control Group Design. The population of this study are 8th grade students of Public Junior High School which consist of high, medium and low school levels. The sample of this study are all 8th grade students at six classes which represent high, medium and low school levels at Pekanbaru. The results showed that the enhancement of mathematical problem solving ability of students who were taught by contextual approach with bamboo dance technique is higher than students who were taught by direct learning at school levels (high, medium, low), the initial mathematics ability (high, medium and low) and in general. In addition, there is no interaction between contextual approach learning with bamboo dance technique and students' school level towards the enhancement of students' mathematical problem.