Implementation of Web-Assisted Brain-Based Learning to Enhance Students’ High-Level Mathematical Thinking Skills

Abstract

High-level mathematical thinking skills are important for the development of student
knowledge. However, students' abilities in this matter are still very weak, so they need to be
developed. Web-assisted brain-based learning is alternative learning that is expected to
enhancing students' high-level mathematical thinking skills. The main objective of this study is to
analyze the achievement and enhancement of students' high-level mathematical thinking skills
comprehensively as a result of the implementation of web-assisted brain-based learning and
conventional learning. This study used a quantitative method with a pretest-posttest control
group design. The study population included all students in the mathematics department from
one of the universities in Central Java. The sample was a group of students who take Integral
Calculus subjects and they were students of Mathematics study programs and Mathematics
Education study programs. For each study program, the sample choosed two classes randomly,
the experimental class was taught by using web-assisted brain-based learning, while the other
class was taught by using conventional learning as a control class. This research used various
instruments. They were Mathematical Prior Knowledge Test, High-Level Mathematical Thinking
Skills Test, and Observation sheet. Data were analyzed using t-test, t’-test, Mann-Whitney U test,
and two ways ANOVA. This study concluded that: (1) the achievement and enhancement of highlevel mathematical thinking skills of students taught by using web-based brain-based learning is
better than the achievement and enhancement of those taught by using conventional learning; (2)
there is no interaction between learning (web-assisted brain-based learning and conventional
learning) and mathematical prior knowledge (high, medium, low) on the achievement and
enhancement of students' high-level mathematical thinking skills; (3) there is an interaction
between learning (web-assisted brain-based learning and conventional learning) and the type of
study program (mathematics and mathematics education) towards the achievement and
enhancement of students' high-level mathematical thinking skills.