Learning Obstacles among Indonesian Eighth Graders on Ratio and Proportion

Abstract

Many studies reported that the students lack understanding on the topic of ratio and proportion. This topic basically becomes a cornerstone for understanding the other mathematics topics, developing mathematical skills, and helping the students to solve real-life problems, but many researchers have documented the obstacles regarding this topic. For such a reason, this study intends to investigate kinds of learning obstacles on the topic of ratio and proportion that can emerge due to some causes. It was part of didactical design research which was conducted to eighth graders who had already been taught about its topic. The data were collected from students' answer and interview in solving ratio and proportion problems. The data analysis reveals that the obstacles are classified into ontogenic obstacle, didactical obstacle, and epistemological obstacle. It can be identified from students' understanding or conception about ratio and proportion which was caused by students' prior knowledge, didactical practices, or the lack of contexts. These findings are expected to overcome learning obstacles in teaching and learning of ratio and proportion.