Student strategy in solving PISA problem through realistic mathematics education approach

Abstract

The PISA assessment shows that Indonesia ranked under international standard from the year 2000 until 2012. Student strategies were identified as part of student problem-solving in PISA problem. In solving the PISA problem, students have to translate the daily life problem into the mathematics language, solve and re-translate it into the everyday language. Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) is an approach that emphasises mathematics as student daily life activities to be associated as the primary point into the learning context. This study was conducted to determine student strategies in solving the PISA problem through the RME approach. This study was held through three meetings; two meetings for the learning process and one for the assessment. The data were collected by conducting a test on a total of 29 seventh grade students in Banda Aceh as well as interviewing five of them. The results revealed that there are some student strategies used in solving the PISA problem through the RME approach. The strategies are look for a pattern, make a drawing or diagram, guess and check, and work backwards.