Singaraja- It cannot be denied that the role of mathematics in various fields of human life is undeniable. Even the mastery of mathematics is often used as a benchmark for the progress of a nation. What about the mastery of Indonesian mathematics, which is reflected in the students’ mathematical abilities?
The role of mathematics is so important, however, in general, students’ mathematical abilities in Indonesia are still relatively low. It turns out that mathematics is still a difficult subject for students.
Noting these conditions, academics from the University of Education of Ganesha (Undiksha) took concrete steps by going directly to the community (education) to contribute to efforts to improve the quality of learning mathematics. The situation analysis was carried out in seven elementary schools (SD) spread across Jehem Village which are members of Cluster I Tembuku District. Results were, first, it was found that teachers still had difficulties in teaching mathematics or their mastery of the material was still weak, so they tended to teach mathematics using the lecture method. Second, there is still a math phobia among students, they perceive mathematics as a difficult subject, boring, and even frightening so it has an impact on learning outcomes that are not optimal in mathematics. Third, the minimal number of concrete manipulative and ICT-based mathematics learning media available in schools, even though elementary school students are still at the concrete operational stage really needs manipulation of real objects in embedding mathematical concepts. Fourth, the teacher’s knowledge and skills in designing mathematics lessons that emphasize mathematical activities are still low.
Cluster I of Tembuku District with three Service Teams from the Undiksha Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM), namely: Dr. Gst. Ayu Mahayukti, M.Sc.; Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Pujawan, M. Kes.; Dr. I Gede Margunayasa, M.Pd. and assisted by Undiksha Mathematics Department students then agreed on a solution to this problem through the Community Partnership Program (PKM) DRTPM Kemdikbudristek. The program initiated was “Activation of HOTs-Based Meaningful Mathematics Learning Resources Integrated Lesson Study. A series of activities have been carried out since June (and are currently still ongoing), namely strengthening teacher competence in learning mathematics through strengthening teaching materials and learning strategies based on HOTs; design and manufacture of ICT-based and concrete manipulative SD mathematics media/tools; creating a math lab as a mini math lab in the classroom; improve teachers’ ability to design mathematics learning that emphasizes mathematical activity (Hands-On – Mind On), and familiarize students with doing independent exploration of mathematics in the Math Lab.
Through this strategy, according to the analysis, there has been an increase in teacher competence in HOTs-based elementary mathematics learning, Math Lab has been developed as a mini mathematics laboratory in classrooms equipped with mathematics teaching aids and ICT-based media, and teachers are able to use it in learning. In addition, a model of sustainable elementary school teacher professionalism has been formed, in the form of lesson study groups.
The workshop activities for the development of ICT-based mathematics learning media and concrete manipulatives were held on August 29, 2023 at SDN 5 Jehem, with the participants of elementary school teachers who are included in Group I Tembuku District ( SDN 1 Jehem, SDN 2 Jehem, SDN 3 Jehem, SDN 4 Jehem, SDN 5 Jehem, SDN 6 Jehem, and SDN 7 Jehem) by 21 participants.
The Chairperson of Cluster 1 Tembuku District who is also the Principal of SD N 5 Jehem, Ni Nyoman Budiartini, S.Pd.SD expressed his appreciation for the service team and felt the benefits and importance of this activity. It is hoped that activities like this will be carried out frequently on other occasions. Through this program, the Undiksha service team also donated mathematics teaching aids and ICT-based mathematics learning media to the school. (rls/hms)
