Children Problems about Math T_T
Problematika Pembelajaran Matematika di SD
By : Prof. Dr. Marsigit, MA
Reflection By : iLania Eka Andari
Of the many Problems Learning Mathematics in Elementary School above, there are a few that caught my eye. That is the second and the ninth problems, "how is our viewpoint of mathematics achievement in elementary school?" and "how to get rid the perception that math is difficult?"
The first problem. In my opinion, the mathematics achievement in Indonesian's elementary school is still in 'low level'. Ok, i admit that there are some Indonesian's student that succes in Math olympiad, even in International level. But, whether the students in Indonesia just them? only them? No. We can not close our eyes and ears on the fact that besides them, many children in Indonesia still have difficulty in mathematics, and even it is common knowledge that many children who do not want to learn math. Yeah i know that the definition of learning achievement (prestasi belajar) is results of the learning effort that show the size of the achieved proficiency in the form of value. However, if the value obtained from the results of cheating, whether it's still learning achievement? i don't think so. I prefer say that achievement learning is the succes of the learning process rather than the value that we got from the learning process. Cause when we have a good/succes in learning process, we can obtain a good result/good value too. But when we have/got a good value, it's not necessarily cause we have a good learning process, it can also cause a cheating (I do not intend to prejudice, but it's fact that happen in daily life). Therefore, i said that the mathematics learning achievement in Indonesia is still in 'low level'.
The second problem. Different from elementary school children in other countries, elementary school children in Indonesia tend to be afraid and hate towards mathematics. So, how to get rid the perception that math is difficult? Rather than asking children to memorize that 1/2 is bigger than 1/4 and 1/4 is bigger than 1/5 , is better if we demonstrated with concrete object. Such as we cut pies, apples or other food into halves, fourths, fifths and so on, after that we ask "which one is bigger? Which one is the biggest?" through that experience, children will be easier to understand the material. I think start with explaining math in easy ways like that can help the student to like mathematics more. Slowly, the feeling that math is scary and difficult can disappear from children/student mind when they already like/love math.
The first problem. In my opinion, the mathematics achievement in Indonesian's elementary school is still in 'low level'. Ok, i admit that there are some Indonesian's student that succes in Math olympiad, even in International level. But, whether the students in Indonesia just them? only them? No. We can not close our eyes and ears on the fact that besides them, many children in Indonesia still have difficulty in mathematics, and even it is common knowledge that many children who do not want to learn math. Yeah i know that the definition of learning achievement (prestasi belajar) is results of the learning effort that show the size of the achieved proficiency in the form of value. However, if the value obtained from the results of cheating, whether it's still learning achievement? i don't think so. I prefer say that achievement learning is the succes of the learning process rather than the value that we got from the learning process. Cause when we have a good/succes in learning process, we can obtain a good result/good value too. But when we have/got a good value, it's not necessarily cause we have a good learning process, it can also cause a cheating (I do not intend to prejudice, but it's fact that happen in daily life). Therefore, i said that the mathematics learning achievement in Indonesia is still in 'low level'.
The second problem. Different from elementary school children in other countries, elementary school children in Indonesia tend to be afraid and hate towards mathematics. So, how to get rid the perception that math is difficult? Rather than asking children to memorize that 1/2 is bigger than 1/4 and 1/4 is bigger than 1/5 , is better if we demonstrated with concrete object. Such as we cut pies, apples or other food into halves, fourths, fifths and so on, after that we ask "which one is bigger? Which one is the biggest?" through that experience, children will be easier to understand the material. I think start with explaining math in easy ways like that can help the student to like mathematics more. Slowly, the feeling that math is scary and difficult can disappear from children/student mind when they already like/love math.
in the fourth line, i said that the students already 'comfort'. but in the eighth line, i said that even now, the students are haven't found their comfort zone.
for some people i think it can be misunderstanding. what i mean in the fourth line is they already comfort with the curriculum now, is because they already in their way to find the best way to study. they tried to find the best method in learning in this kind of curriculum. But, like what i said that when the curriculum change it will change the material also.So, it will be wasteful for them, cause the learning method that they find in this kind of curriculum is maybe not suitable for the new curriculum.
nah, what i mean in the eighth line is even though they already in their way to find the best method in learning, but it doesn't mean that they already found their comfort zone in learning. they maybe already comfort in this curriculum, but it's not merely mean that they also already find their comfort zone or the best method of their learning.
oh... i hope you understand what i mean. it's still little difficult for me to speak out my mind in written language. i hope i can learning more and can be better.