Authors: Shelly Morin, Didi Suryadi, Sufyani Prabawanto, Dedi Sulistiyo
Abstract
This study explored how students think when solving ill-structured mathematics problems. This research method was a qualitative case study involving class VIII junior high school students. Data collection techniques were done by giving ill-structured mathematics problems in the form of geometry material, observation, and in-depth interviews. Furthermore, after students solved the problem; to further describe the student’s answers, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore and dig up further information. The results showed that some issues were found: the complexity of the problems given to students became a challenge in solving unstructured geometry problems, students had difficulties interpreting the problem due to limited prior knowledge, especially regarding geometry material, and the problems given required creativity in finding solutions. Students’ constraints were in the lack of prior knowledge, especially geometry materials, and creativity to find and establish strategies to build solutions according to their knowledge. This research contributed to uncovering students’ thought processes when constructing solutions based on their prior knowledge to identify learning difficulties in more depth. This research also showed that the diversity of students’ ways of thinking provides different problem-solving opportunities. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University.
Author keywords
Geometry; Junior high school; Mathematics ill-structured; Student; Ways of thinking
This article can be accessed at https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002415768