Improving mathematical understanding and disposition of junior high school students through the 5E learning cycle model

Abstract

This study aims to determine the increase in the ability of mathematical understanding and the mathematical disposition learned though this model as well as the correlation between the mathematical understanding and the mathematical disposition in mathematics learning. The population of this study was the entire seventh-grade students in one of the junior high schools in Takengon, Indonesia. The two-class samples were randomly selected for the sampling purpose. The 5E learning cycle model was implemented at the experimental class, while the control class was utilized the conventional model. The instrument used to collect the data consisted of two types of tests, namely the mathematical understanding test and the mathematical disposition questionnaires. Based on the t-test analysis, it was found that the increase of the mathematical understanding and disposition of students who learned with the 5E learning cycle model was better than that of those who learned with the conventional model. Additionally, based on the Pearson product-moment correlation-test, it was concluded that there was a correlation between the students' mathematical understanding and their mathematical disposition, with the degree of correlation between them is in the sufficient category. Thus, the application of the 5E learning cycle model could improve students' mathematical understanding and disposition abilities.