The Enhancement of Students Mathematical Modeling Abilities through Interpretation-construction Design Model Rafiq Zulkarnaen, Yaya S. Kusumah
School of Postgraduate Studies, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Abstract
Mathematical modeling uses mathematical approaches to understand and to make a decision real world problem. Unfortunately, students mathematical modeling is still poor. Students difficulties are in understanding problems correctly, making assumptions in simplifying problem situations into a mathematical problem, remembering mathematical knowledge needed for solving the problem, and the students do not get used to checking the solution of the problem situation. The study aims at investigating whether interpretation-construction design model (ICON) enhances students mathematical modeling abilities (MMA). This study is experimental research and it was conducted in a public senior high school in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. The sample of this research consists of the 10th grade students. The teaching materials given were quadratic equations and functions. The instrument used in this research covers mathematical modeling test, and the data were analysed by using t test. The results show that students mathematical modeling abilities who received learning treatment using ICON is better than those who received conventional learning. The enhancement of mathematical modeling abilities (who received ICON) are in medium level. However, the result indicates that the students found it diffilcult in interpreting solution and mathematical model of situation.
