Students’ Obstacles in Learning Sequence and Series Using Onto-Semiotic Approach

Abstract

Sequences and series is one of the mathematical topics that are related to everyday life. The topic is also taught at several levels of education in Indonesia. However, many students still experrienced difficulties in learning this topic. This study uses an interpretive paradigm that is part of the Didactical Design Research (DDR). This research aims to analyze students’ learning obstacles on the topic of sequence and series using the onto-semiotic approach. To do so, written test consists of five questions related to the conceptual understanding of an arithmetic sequences and series was administered to 23 students from one of the senior high schools in Kota Tangerang Selatan followed by interviews with 4 students. The results show that learning obstacles are classified into epistemological, ontogenic, and didactical obstacles. Based on the onto-semiotics approach, the students had difficulties in defining a mathematical idea on sequences and series topics. They could convert a problem into mathematical model but were confused to use a proper procedure. It can be concluded that students still experience obstacles in learning sequences and series topic. The results of this study can be used by teachers as considerations in designing learning situation on the topic of sequence and series.