IMPROVING THE ABILITY OF MATHEMATIC CONNECTION AND SELF-CONFIDENCE’S STUDENT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING

Abstract

This study aims to examine the achievement and improvement of the ability of mathematical connections and confidence of students through problem-based learning model. The population in this study is all students of 7^th grade from one of SMP Negeri in Bandung. Samples were taken at random class. Among the eleven classes, two classes were selected as an experimental class (VII-K) and a control class (VII-B). The research instruments consist of a test instruments (math connection ability) and a non-test instruments. The instrument in the form of test is a set of test questions to measure students' mathematical connection ability. While non-test instruments in the form of a scale of students' self-confidence, and the scale of student opinions on problem-based learning. Research shows that the achievement and improvement of the ability of mathematical connections and confidence of students whose learning using problem-based learning model there is a difference with the learning using ordinary learning in terms of the initial ability level of students. There is no interaction between the problem-based learning model and the student's initial ability level to generate mathematical connections and students' self-confidence. In addition there is a correlation between the ability of mathematical connections and students' self confidence in the classroom that uses the problem-based learning model as well as in the classroom using ordinary learning.