The analysis of mathematical communication skills in junior high school students

Abstract

This study aims to determine the students' mathematical communication skills in the system of two-variable linear equations material. The subjects in this study were 8th grade students who were selected by purposive sampling technique. The method used in this research is descriptive. The data obtained from the students' mathematical communication skills test consisting of 2 essay items including 3 indicators of mathematical communication skills, namely, drawing (expressing ideas into the form of images, graphs or diagrams), written text (providing the mathematical explanations in the correct language), and mathematical expression (making mathematical expressions). The test was given to 30 students of 8th grade at SMP Muhammadiyah 3 Bandar Lampung. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to get a comprehensive picture related to the students' mathematical communication skills. The results showed that the percentage of the achievement in each indicator of students was classified as low. This can be seen from the percentage of the achievement of the students' mathematical communication indicators interpreted as follows, namely 1) drawing at 22%, 2) written text at 55%, and 3) mathematical expression at 12%.