Difficulties of Middle School Students in Understanding Algebraic Concepts
Ani Cahyani(1) , Zahara Raharjo Putri (1)
1) IKIP Siliwangi Jalan Terusan Jenderal Sudirman Cimahi 40526, jawabarat, Indonesia
Email : ikipsiliwangi4212[at]gmail.com
https://ikipsiliwangi.ac.id
Abstract
This study aims to determine the difficulties experienced by junior high school students on algebraic concepts and the factors that cause difficulties in understanding algebraic concepts. The approaches and methods used in this study are qualitative approaches and naturalistic methods. The study was conducted at one of the schools in the Karawang district with the subject of the teacher and 9 students of class VIII that fit the criteria. The instruments in this study used a description test of 7 questions related to the ability to understand concepts and non-test instruments in the form of interviews, observation sheets, and field notes. The results of the data analysis showed the most dominant difficulties experienced by students, namely the indicators applying and analyzing with very high difficulty categories. These difficulties are influenced by several factors, including poor physical health, impaired sensory function, low interest in learning and student motivation, not mastering basic and classroom abilities that are not conducive. Alternative learning that can be done to minimize the difficulty of students in understanding the algebraic concept is to be able to use media or teaching aids and create a pleasant learning atmosphere.
Keywords: Difficulties, Understanding Algebraic Concepts
Topic: Mathematics Education