The thinking process of quitter students in solving open-ended mathematical problems

Abstract

Most Indonesian classes consist of many students coming from various background of ethnicity, cultures and fighting power. The fighting power possessed by a student is classified into three levels, namely high (climber), moderate (camper) and low (quitter). The facts in the field show that there are still many quitter students who need teachers to accommodate their needs in solving mathematical problems. One way to help quitter students solve problems is by giving open-ended questions. This research aims to describe the thinking process of quitter students in solving problems through open-ended questions. This research was a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The research subjects were two seventh- grade students of Banda Aceh SMPN 19, both of them represented quitter students. Data collection was done by giving open-ended math questions and interviews. The results showed that in solving open-ended mathematical problems, quitter students conducted assimilation and accommodation in understanding problems, implemented problem-solving plans and checking problems, and the quitter students thought assimilatively in planning problem solving. This research can be used in considering the selection of methods and strategies appropriate for quitter students in the mathematics learning process.