Improving Mathematical Connection Ability through the Approach of Scientific and Reciprocal Teaching

Abstract

Mathematics as a structured and systematic science implies that the concepts and principles in mathematics are interrelated with each other. Studying mathematics as a whole requires a connection (relationship) to achieve a meaningful understanding, therefore mathematical connection ability is important and needs to be improved. Experimental studies have been carried out using a scientific approach and learning with a reciprocal teaching approach on circle material. This study focuses on looking at improving the ability of mathematical connections and their interactions in students who use learning with a scientific approach and learning with a reciprocal teaching approach. The study was conducted using the Pretest Posttest Two Treatment Design in class VIII in one of the junior high schools in the city of Bandung, West Java. Analysis of research data was carried out quantitatively-qualitatively based on the entire sample or broken down by category of prior mathematical knowledge (PAM): high and low. The analysis was carried out on the improvement and interaction of students' mathematical connection abilities. The results showed that there were differences in the improvement in mathematical connection skills between students who received learning using a scientific approach and students who received learning using a reciprocal teaching approach based on students' PAM (high and low). Furthermore, the analysis of the interaction effect shows that there is no interaction effect between learning and students' PAM (high and) on increasing students' abilities.