Kalamatika: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika

Wordwall on the effectiveness, motivation, and interest in learning fraction: Voice from student version

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Wordwall is a web-based interactive learning medium that has the potential to enhance students' motivation, interest, learning outcomes, and technological skills. This research aims to examine the impact of using Wordwall on the effectiveness, motivation, and interest in learning fractions among fifth-grade students from an elementary school in Magetan Regency, East Java. The study employed a descriptive research approach with participants consisting of fifth-grade elementary students in Magetan Regency, East Java. Data were collected by administering questions related to the fractional material taught using Wordwall. The analysis showed that Wordwall demonstrated fairly good effectiveness (72.2%), particularly in students’ understanding (88.9%) and recall of fractional concepts (100%), although their problem-solving speed remained low (33.3%). Student motivation was relatively low (66.7%), with only 55.6% choosing Wordwall and acknowledging its implementation. However, the level of interest was high (100%), indicating that Wordwall successfully captured students’ attention and encouraged active learning. In conclusion, this study found that Wordwall is effective in improving students’ understanding and interest in learning, although its impact on learning motivation was not optimal.

Environment on students’ mathematical representation abilities: A quantitative study in an Indonesian secondary school

Nurma Izzati, Minhatul Maula, Lu’lu Qolbi Bilqisth — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This quantitative study aims to examine the influence of the learning environment on students’ mathematical representation abilities. The research is motivated by the relatively low levels of mathematical representation skills observed among students, which may be associated with variations in the quality of their learning environments. The study was conducted at a junior high school in Cirebon during the 2024/2025 academic year, involving 30 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire to measure students’ perceptions of the learning environment and a test instrument to assess their mathematical representation abilities, including verbal, visual, and symbolic representations. The findings indicate that the learning environment has a significant influence on students’ mathematical representation abilities. However, the results also reveal that both the quality of the learning environment and students’ mathematical representation abilities are relatively low. Statistical analysis shows that the learning environment accounts for 9.3% of the variance in students’ mathematical representation abilities, while the remaining 91.7% is explained by other factors beyond the learning environment. Future studies should explore the influence of additional factors such as learning motivation, instructional methods, and cognitive abilities on students’ mathematical representation skills. Moreover, research involving larger and more diverse populations is recommended to enhance the generalizability and applicability of the findings.

Examining preservice mathematics teachers’ basic teaching skills in technology-integrated microteaching

Moh. Mahfud Effendi, Siti Khoiruli Ummah, Andriyani — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The background of this research is based on previous studies that emphasize the importance of mastering basic teaching skills for prospective teachers to support effective learning. The purpose of this study was to explore undergraduate students’ basic teaching skills in managing mathematics classes through microteaching activities. This study employed a case study method involving 29 undergraduate preservice teachers from the second cohort of the Mathematics Education Study Program. Data were analyzed through triangulation of primary literature on teaching skills, classroom observations, and microteaching document studies. The reconstruction of the Outcome Based Education (OBE) curriculum produced a course titled Innovative Learning Design, which includes outputs in the form of learning tools, microteaching sessions, and microteaching videos. The findings revealed that all basic teaching skills were performed satisfactorily. The most prominent skills were opening and closing lessons and using technology-integrated media. In contrast, the least evident skills were explaining and providing reinforcement, as some preservice teachers had not yet mastered prerequisite or fundamental mathematics concept. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future research analyze the influence of basic teaching skills on student learning outcomes and active student engagement in class.

The effect of open-ended approach on enhancing mathematical understanding in vocational high school students

Rusdian Rifai, Turmudi, Jarnawi Afgani Dahlan, Suhendra — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:28:45 +0700

This study aims to evaluate the extent to which the open-ended approach affects the achievement of students' mathematical understanding ability in vocational high schools (SMK). The method used was a quasi-experiment with a pretest-posttest control group design, in which two groups of students (experimental group and control group) were compared based on test results before and after treatment. The research sample consisted of 72 students who were selected by intact group (based on the class that had been formed) to minimize disruption to teaching and learning activities at school. This sampling was done by considering the real conditions in the field so as not to disrupt the existing learning schedule and class structure. The research data was obtained through a description test consisting of three questions, with a maximum score of 12 for each question. Data analysis was conducted in two stages: first, a normality test to check data distribution, and second, a mean difference test using the Mann-Whitney U test because the data were not normally distributed. The results showed that the group of students taught with the open-ended approach had better mathematical understanding achievement than the group that received direct learning. This finding indicates that the open-ended approach is effective in promoting mathematical conceptual understanding through independent exploration.

From complex to simple: Analyzing prospective teachers' analogy reasoning in creating accessible geometry problems

Abdul Haris Rosyidi, Cholis Sa'dijah, Heri Purnomo, Abdul Halim Abdullah — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 17:01:46 +0700

Students often struggle to identify relevant analog problems when solving new tasks, highlighting the need for teachers to design simple analog problems that serve as scaffolding. This study aims to analyze prospective teachers’ analogical reasoning processes in simplifying complex geometry problems using the Analogical Reasoning in Mathematics (ARM) framework. This qualitative research involved 34 prospective mathematics teachers from a public university in Surabaya, Indonesia. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on their academic performance and prior coursework in geometry and problem solving. Data were collected through task-based interviews, written work, and observations during problem-simplification activities. The collected data were analyzed thematically, guided by the components of the ARM framework. The results indicate that prospective teachers with varying ability levels employed different analogical reasoning strategies to simplify complex problems through ARM activities. High-ability prospective teachers identified a broader range of student difficulties and adapted the problems into two-step analog problems featuring variations in visual representations, number of circles, and geometric shapes. Conversely, low-ability prospective teachers focused on difficulties related to verbal representation and the need for concrete numerical information, adapting the problems into single, highly simplified analog problems with specific images and numbers. Overall, prospective teachers actively utilized analogical reasoning to design analog problems that addressed student difficulties. Differences in ability were associated with the complexity of adaptation strategies and the depth of difficulty identification, underscoring the importance of training prospective teachers to integrate both approaches to effectively support student understanding.

Revisiting digital game-based mathematics learning: Global insights into thinking and attitudes from a PRISMA-guided review

Dwi Yulianto, Muhamad Sukri Situmeang, Syahrul Anwar, Nita Puspitasari — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to evaluate the impact of Game-Based Learning (GBL) on students’ cognitive and affective domains in mathematics education. Seventeen empirical studies published between 2018 and early 2025 were rigorously selected based on strict criteria emphasizing methodological quality and relevance to cognitive and affective aspects of mathematics learning. The findings consistently indicate that GBL significantly enhances cognitive outcomes, including conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities—particularly when supported by digital tools such as augmented reality, 3D escape rooms, and gamified platforms. In addition, GBL positively influences affective outcomes by increasing student motivation, fostering more favorable attitudes toward mathematics, and reducing math anxiety. However, assessments of affective domains remain less standardized than those of cognitive outcomes. Key contextual factors such as students’ prior knowledge, the quality of game design, intervention duration, and teacher preparedness were found to be critical in determining GBL effectiveness. The review also highlights the dominance of digital GBL in resource-rich environments while recognizing the potential of non-digital adaptations in low-resource contexts. Drawing on diverse international evidence, this review underscores GBL’s potential as an innovative pedagogical strategy that effectively integrates cognitive and affective learning. Practical recommendations include culturally responsive game design, comprehensive teacher training, and equitable access to technology to ensure successful GBL implementation across varied educational settings.

Examination of students' written mathematical communication skills in addressing gender-based open-ended problems

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Written mathematical communication skills are an important concern in mathematics education. One way to assess these skills is by presenting students with open-ended problems. This study examines differences in written mathematical communication skills based on gender. The purpose of this study is to describe students’ written mathematical communication skills in solving open-ended problems from a gender perspective. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach, with participants consisting of Grade VIII students from SMPN 2 Pamekasan, categorized into low, medium, and high levels of written mathematical communication skills. Data were collected through open-ended problem-solving tests to analyze students’ written mathematical communication based on gender. The findings indicate that: (1) students in the low-ability category were unable to fully meet the indicators, with both males and females scoring 58; (2) students in the medium-ability category were moderately able to meet the indicators, with both males and females scoring 75; and (3) students in the high-ability category demonstrated strong performance in meeting the indicators, with males scoring 83 and females 100. These results suggest that high-ability students are more effective in meeting the indicators of written mathematical communication, with observable differences based on gender. Female students tend to excel in written narratives, whereas male students show greater strength in visualization. Students with low and medium abilities still require support in notation, image proportion, and written explanations.

Numeracy literacy outcomes of RME with local wisdom across cognitive styles

Maharani Izzatin, Kartono, Zaenuri Zaenuri, Nuriana Rahmani Dewi — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Numeracy literacy is a crucial skill involving the use of numbers, symbols, and basic mathematical concepts in daily life. However, PISA results indicate that Indonesian students’ numeracy literacy remains low, highlighting the need for effective learning models. This study examined the integration of the Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) model with Kudus local wisdom to enhance students’ numeracy literacy, taking into account their cognitive styles. Kudus local wisdom encompasses traditions such as Dandangan and local products like parijoto fruit, jenang, batik, sarongs, and embroidered kebaya. The research involved seventh-grade students at a state junior high school in Kudus and employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement. The Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) was used to identify students’ cognitive styles, while a numeracy literacy test measured learning outcomes. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. The results showed that: (1) the RME model significantly improved numeracy literacy (p = 0.011); (2) cognitive style did not have a significant effect on numeracy literacy (p = 0.615); and (3) there was no significant interaction between learning model and cognitive style (p = 0.272). In conclusion, the RME model effectively enhances numeracy literacy regardless of students’ cognitive styles. Its integration with local wisdom not only supports student competencies but also aligns with the Merdeka Curriculum’s vision of meaningful learning and contributes to achieving the Pancasila Student Profile.