A REALISTIC MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (RME)-BASED MATHEMATICS TEXTBOOK TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Hamidah Rosifa S, Eka Sastrawati, Bunga Ayu Wulandari

Abstract


Purpose – This study aims to develop a Grade V mathematics textbook based on Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) to support students’ mathematical conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills.

Methodology – This research employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the 4D development model: Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The implementation involved 23 fifth-grade students and one teacher at SD Negeri 26/IV Jambi, Indonesia. Data were collected through observations, interviews, validation questionnaires, teacher and student response questionnaires, conceptual understanding and critical thinking tests, critical-thinking observation sheets, and documentation. Data analysis included validity, practicality, dissemination, and N-Gain analysis of students’ conceptual understanding and critical thinking.

Findings – The results showed that the developed RME-based mathematics textbook was very valid and practical. Validation scores reached 100% for design, 93.33% for content, and 93.85% for language, all of which were categorized as very valid. Practicality scores were 92% from the teacher, 90% from students in the limited trial, and 92% in the larger-group trial, all categorized as very practical. Students’ conceptual understanding improved, with N-Gain increasing from 0.42 in Cycle I to 0.50 in Cycle II, while critical thinking increased from 0.33 to 0.43, both in the moderate category. The dissemination response reached 95.88%, indicating very high teacher acceptance.

Contribution – This study contributes an RME-based mathematics textbook that integrates contextual problems, exploration, discussion, mathematical reasoning, and concept formalization into a structured learning resource. The developed textbook provides a viable alternative for supporting conceptual understanding and critical thinking in Grade V mathematics.

Keywords


Realistic Mathematics Education; Mathematics Textbook; Conceptual understanding; Critical thinking

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.36987/jes.v13i6.9945

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