Mathematical Problem-Solving Abilities of Students in Problem-Based Learning

Source abstract

This study aims to analyze and describe the problem-solving ability (PSA) of students through the application of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) treatment on the topic of plane figure perimeter for sixthgrade students at SD Negeri 327 Sinunukan, Sinunukan District, Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The research employed a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design: one-shot case study. The sample consisted of 32 sixth-grade students from SD Negeri 327 Sinunukan, selected using purposive sampling technique. The research instrument was a problem-solving test that had been validated and tested for reliability. The results indicate that PBL contributes to the achievement of problem-solving abilities. This conclusion is based on a one-sample t-test, which yielded a significance value (sig.) < 0.001, leading to the acceptance of the proposed hypothesis at the 0.05 significance level. Furthermore, the average student PSA score was 85.39, with a median of 90 and a skewness of-1.320, indicating a left-skewed distribution where a larger number of students achieved high scores. Additionally, when examining student PSA based on the four problem-solving procedures, only the third procedure-solving the problem according to specified steps-had a percentage below 70%. The low percentage for this procedure was influenced by many students making inaccuracies in the calculation process, leading to incorrect final answers. These errors were primarily caused by miscalculations rather than the problem-solving strategies employed.