Need Analysis for Developing Applied Mathematics Textbooks Based on Blended Learning to Improve Problem Solving Abilities at the Students of Polytechnic State of Bali

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the need for developing teaching materials in the form of textbooks based on blended learning in applied mathematics courses, and to gain a draft of applied mathematics textbooks based on blended learning that can improve the ability of solving mathematical problems. The development used the 4-D model Thiagarajan, and Semmel with several modifications, namely: 1) Define, 2) Design, 3) Develop, and 4) Disseminate. At this time is carried out the development of stages 1 and 2 and part of stage 3. The implementation was carried out in the engineering field of the State Polytechnic of Bali. The data were collected using survey methods, documents and questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the analysis found 13 mathematics learning achievements and 51 subachievements. Student characteristics: 1) attitudes toward mathematics are very positive, moderate learning interest, 2) high learning motivation; 3) high learning independence, 4) 79.7% had difficulty understanding sub textbooks given by lecturers, 5) 89.6% needed alternative teaching materials to understand mathematical concepts, and 6) 83.3% agreed to develop mathematics textbooks applying blended learning based on the uses of problem solving approach. The duration of internet use on students per week is very high (97.2%), and only 2.0% of students have never used the internet. However, the used of the internet for learning 41.0% tends sometimes if there is a lecturer. The most frequently used device, 95.2% used mobile phones. The students assessment of mathematics learning implementation: 1) implementation of learning: 39.76% pleasant, 56.76% less pleasant, and 3.6% unpleasant. The draft of applied mathematics textbooks based on blended learning approaches problem solving, the material was developed in reference to learning achievements, subject learning outcomes, and mathematics learning sub-achievements. The main material includes 4 fields, namely: 1) algebra, 2) geometry; 3) trigonometry; and 4) calculus. The material order, arranged with a hierarchical approach. The four materials are packaged into 2 textbooks, namely applied mathematics textbook I taught in semester 1and applied mathematics textbook II taught in semester 2, the learning approach uses problem based learning models. The textbook material is integrated in the LMS Model Schoology. The results of the validator of the draft textbooks indicated that mathematics textbooks based on blended learning by making small revisions, are appropriate to be used as applied mathematics teaching materials based on blended learning to improve problem solving skills.