Analysis of Students’ Algebraic Thinking Skills and Realistic Mathematics Education Approach to Help Students Learn Function

Abstract

This research aims to determine algebraic thinking skills of students on learning function and to describe Realistic Mathematics Education Approach as the alternative way to promote students’ algebraic thinking skills. The research is conducted at a junior high school involving twenty-seven students by analyzing the results of the students’ answers on the problems provided as well as the results of interviews of students. The problems were given to see achievement of students’ algebraic thinking’s indicators. The indicators are students are able to: a) use relationship patterns to analyze situation; b) move between different representation; c) make and use symbolic, visual or spatial notations, and words or sentences in solving mathematical problems; d) explore problem solving related to other topics or fields of science; e) model and solve the problem. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that algebraic thinking skill of students still on low level and need to be improved. Students have to work with problem situations that arise in various contexts that are close to students' daily life or make sense to them. This is in accordance with the characteristics of the Realistic Mathematics Education.