Development of Learning Tool with Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) Approach to Improve Student Mathematical Connection Ability

Abstract

The ability of mathematical connections must be possessed by students when studying mathematics. However, the ability of students' mathematical connections is still very poor and restricted among mathematical topics only. Therefore, it is necessary to develop learning tools that can improve students' ability of mathematical connections by using a meaningful learning approach. This study aimed to produce learning tools by using Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) approach which are valid, practical, and effective. This development research only focussed on valid aspect and used 4-D model. This research involved 35 Year 7 students from one of the high schools in Banda Aceh. The developed learning tools included lesson plans, student worksheets, and a test on quadrilateral topics. The development of learning tools was validated by four experts until the learning tools were considered eligible for use in the learning activities. The results showed that the learning tool with CTL approach by using 4-D development model could be used on quadrilateral topics with minor revision. Therefore, the developed learning tools with CTL approach in this research can be used by teachers in the quadrilateral topic to foster students' mathematical connection. Also, the result of this study may be used for further analysis on practicality and effectiveness phases.