Giftedness in Brazil: To what extent does terminology really matter?

For more than 90 years, terminology related to giftedness in Brazil has evolved, proliferating terms used to describe gifted individuals. Terms such as superdotado (the common translation of gifted into Portuguese) may lead lay people to think of gifted students as only those with extremely high ability or extraordinary capabilities and is often used in a way that carries a negative connotation. On the other hand, terms such as high ability student, which is associated with academics, and talented, which suggests artistic endeavors, may not capture the full range of possible areas in which a student can be gifted. We argue that because terminology is important and can influence policy and practice, it is crucial to have clear definitions, but it is even more important to go beyond terms to clarify the phenomenon of giftedness, disseminate relevant research, and inform parents of gifted students and professionals working with these students.

Analysis of students' thinking level in solving Pythagoras' theorem problems based on Van hiele's theory

The aims of this analysis are to explain the level of thinking of grade VIII students at SMP Negeri 1 Talang Ubi in solving Pythagorean Theorem questions based on Van Hiele's theory. The research approach used in this analysis is descriptive qualitative case study research. The subjects of this research were three students of grade VIII of SMP Negeri 1 Talang Ubi, South Sumatera Indonesia. The three students were chosen based on their test answers on the Pythagorean Theorem material, with one being a high-ability student, one being a medium-ability student, and one being a low-ability student. The study's data collection techniques included assessments, interviews, and documentation. Techniques for data processing include data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The findings revealed that high-ability students could complete all four stages of Van Hiele's thinking: imagination, interpretation, informal deduction, and deduction. Moderate students achieved three levels of Van Hiele's thinking, including visualization, analysis, and informal deduction, while low-ability students achieved only one level of Van Hiele's thinking, visualization.

ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN BERFIKIR KRITIS MELALUI PENGENALAN FUNGSI JAM DAN KONSEP WAKTU DENGAN TEORI SCHOENFELD MENYELESAIKAN MASALAH ANAK TK

The problem that arises in this study is “How to analyze children’s thinking skills in solving a problem of introducing the function of the clock and the concept of time with Schoenfels’s theory”. In detail, the problem of how student’s critical thinking skills will be discussed in accordance with the five steps of problem solving according to Schoenfeld, namely Reading, Analysis, Exploration, Implementation, and Verification. Data collection through the method of tests, interviews, and documentation with the subject is three people selected with the criteria of one high- ability student, one medium- ability student, and one low- ability student. This research is qualitative, because the type of data in this study is qualitative in the form if description of words or sentences in the form of a picture. The result of the study concluded that of the three subjects who had high, medium, and low abilities there were differences in critical thinking abilities. In short, the subject with high ability is able to master 12 indicators of critical thinking well, while the subject with moderae ability is able to master 7 of the 12 existing indicators of critical thinking, and the subject with low ability is only able to master 5 of the 12 existing indicators of critical thinking. Abstrak Masalah yang muncul dalam penelitian ini yaitu “ Bagaimana analisa kemampuan berfikir anak dalam menyelesaikan suatu masalah pengenalan fungsi jam dan konsep waktu dengan teori Schoenfeld”. Secara rinci permasalahan bagaimana kemampuan berfikir kritis siswa yang akan dibahas sesuai dengan lima langkah pemecahan masalah menurut Schoenfeld yaitu Reading, Analysis, Exploration, Implementation, dan Verification. Pengumpulan data melalui metode tes, wawancara, dan dokumentasi dengan subjek adalah tiga orang yang dipilih dengan kriteria satu orang siswa berkemampuan tinggi, satu orang siswa berkemampuan sedang, dan satu orang siswa berkemampuan rendah. Penelitian Ini termasuk kualitatif , karena jenis data dalam penelitian ini bersifat kualitatif berupa deskripsi kata- kata ataupun kalimat dalam bentuk gamber. Hasil penelitian disimpulkan bahwa dari tiga subjek yang mempunyai kemampuan tinggi, sedang, dan rendah ada perbedaan dalam kemampuan berfikir kritis. Secara singkat yaitu subjek yang memiliki kemampuan tinggi mampu menguasai 12 indikator- indikator berfikir kritis dengan baik, sedangkan subjek berkemampuan sedang mampu mneguasai 7 dari 12 indikator berfikir kritis yang ada, dan subjek berkemampuan rendah hanya mampu mnguasai 5 dari 12 indikator berfikir kritis yang ada. Kata Kunci: Kemampuan Berfikir Kritis, Teori Schoenfeld

Effect of the 5E Instructional Model on Physics Academic Achievement Based on Gender and Students’ Ability: A Case of Berekum Senior High Schools in Ghana

This study examined the effect of the 5E instructional model on Physics students’ academic achievement based on gender and students’ ability. The study employed a quasi-experimental design using the pre-test, post-test and delayed-post administered instruments to the experimental and control groups. The study involved two instructional strategies (5E instructional model and traditional teaching). Instruments known as Physics Students’ Academic Achievement Test (PSAAT) and Delayed Post Test (DPT) were used to gather data for the study. Mean scores, standard deviations and normalized gains were used to analyses data while ANCOVA and independent-sample t-test were used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. A significant difference was found between Physics students instructed with the 5E instructional model and those taught through the traditional classroom. Similarly, a significant difference was found between Physics high-ability student in the 5E instructional group and those in the traditional group. However, a non-significant difference was found between Physics low-ability students in the experimental and the control groups. Similarly, a non-significant different was found among gender concerning pre-test and post-test means scores. However, a significant difference was found among gender in favor for the male students. The study recommended that Physics teachers wanting to improve their students learning outcomes should adopt the 5E instructional model.

Teachers’ Growth Mindsets and the Differential Treatment of High- and Low-Ability Students

We examined the relation between teachers’ beliefs about the nature of intelligence (their growth mindsets) and their treatment of high versus low ability students. Teachers with weaker growth mindsets reported being more likely to use restrictive instructional practices (controlling and performance-oriented) overall than teachers with stronger growth mindsets, and teachers were more likely to use restrictive practices when working with a low-ability student than when working with a high-ability student. By contrast, the hypothesized student ability level ́ teacher growth mindset ́ instructional practice type. A number of important potential limitations and their implications for future research on these relations are discussed.

ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM IN COMPLETING THE PROBLEM OF THE STORY BASED ON THE STEPS OF THE PATTERN IN COMPARATIVE MATERIAL

Each student has different abilities in problem solving, especially in story problems. Haji (1994: 13) suggests that questions that can be used to determine students' abilities in the field of mathematics study can take the form of story problems. The purpose of this research is to describe the ability of students to solve mathematical problems in solving comparative story problems based on Polya's steps. This research is a descriptive study using a qualitative approach. Three (3) subjects were taken from students of class VIIA at SMP Negeri 1 Wamena consisting of one high ability student, one medium ability student, and one low ability student. Retrieval of data taken by the test and interview methods. The test used was in the form of a description test of three (3) questions. Based on the research results obtained: the ability to solve mathematical problems in High Ability Students (SKT) can do all the problem solving comparative story problems based on Polya steps, while the Medium Ability Students (SKS) there are two questions that have not fully taken Polya's steps specifically implementing the completion plan and check again. For Low Ability Students (SKR) almost all the questions given cannot be solved using Polya steps.Keywords: Problem solving, Polya steps, comparison problems.

PROSES PEMECAHAN MASALAH MATEMATKA SISWA BERKEMAMPUAN TINGGI BERDASARKAN LANGKAH POLYA

The purpose of this study is to determine the process of solving the problem of students who are high-ability based on Polya step. This research uses the qualitative approach. The subject in this study was a high-ability student. The results of this study indicate that the ability to solve the problem of high-ability students based on Polya steps are: (1) Understanding the problem begins by understanding the vocabulary, identifying all the facts in the form of existing information data, connecting all information from the identification result, and ending by identifying the question ; (2) A plan for splitting begins with the selection of operations and establishes the formulation of equations; (3) Implement the plan of splitting; (4) Re-checking of the settlement result obtained by substituting the result obtained to the initial equation.

PENINGKATAN PENGUASAAN KONSEP GARIS SINGGUNG LINGKARAN DENGAN METODE PENEMUAN TERBIMBING BERKELOMPOK PADA PROGRAM STUDI PENDIDIKAN MATEMATIKA UM MATARAM

Abstrak:Salah satu kesulitan mahasiswa dalam mata kuliah geometri analitik bidang adalah memecahkan masalah tentang garis singgung lingkaran jika dikaitkan dengan kehidupan sehari-hari. Kesulitan ini dapat disebabkan karena kurangnya pemahaman terhadap konsep garis singgung lingkaran. Pembelajaran matematika dengan metode penemuan merupakan satu komponen penting dalam pandangan konstruktivis dimana pengetahuan dibentuk oleh mahasiswa sendiri secara aktif, kemudian disimpan sebagai suatu susunan atau struktur pengetahuan yang saling terkait satu sama lain seperti jaring laba-laba dantidak hanya sekedar bersifat hirarkis. Mahasiswa secara aktif baik fisik (bekerja) maupun mental (berpikir) dalam membentuk pengetahuannya sendiri. Penelitian yang dilakukan merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yang bertujuan untuk memperbaiki kinerja dosen sehingga dapat meningkatkan pemahaman siswa dalam menguasai suatu mata kuliah. Sumber data dalam penelitian ini adalah semester IV jurusan pendidikan matematika FKIP UM Mataram. Sedangkan mahasiswa yang diambil sebagai subjek untuk wawancara adalah 4 mahasiswa dengan pertimbangan agar memudahkan fokus perhatian dan pengamatan sehingga mencapai refleksi mendalam. Pemilihan subjek untuk wawancara ditentukan berdasarkan pada hasil tes awal. Keempat mahasiswa ini terdiri dari 1 mahasiswa berkemampuan tinggi, 2 mahasiswa berkemampuan sedang, dan 1 mahasiswaberkemampuan rendah. Setelah dataterkumpul, maka data perlu segera dianalisis. Analisisdata yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisisdata kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Data ini dianalisis dengan langkah-langkah sebagai berikut: (1) mereduksi data,(2) menyajikan data, dan (3) menarik kesimpulan serta verifikasi. Berdasarkan tujuan penelitian dan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa penerapan metode penemuan terbimbing berkelompok dapat meningkatkan penguasaan konsep garis singgung lingkaran pada matakuliah geometri analitik di jurusan pendidikan matematika UM Mataram.Hal tersebut terbukti dengan meningkatnya nilai rata-rata mahasiswa dan meningkatnya SR yang dihasilkan jika membenadingkan hasil tes awal dan tes akhir. Abstract: One of the student difficulties in the field of analytical geometry is to solve the problem of tangent circles when associated with daily life. This difficulty can be caused by a lack of understanding of the concept of tangent circles. Mathematical learning by discovery method is an important component in constructivist view where knowledge is actively shaped by the students themselves, then stored as a structure or knowledge structure interconnected with each other like spider webs and not just hierarchical. Students are both physically active (working) and mental (thinking) in shaping their own knowledge. The research conducted is a classroom action research that aims to improve the performance of lecturers so as to improve students' understanding in mastering a course. Sources of data in this study is the fourth semester majoring in mathematics education FKIP UM Mataram. While the students are taken as the subject for the interview is 4 students with consideration to facilitate the focus of attention and observation so as to achieve deep reflection. The subject selection for the interview is determined based on the initial test results. The four students consist of 1 high-ability student, 2 medium-skilled students, and 1 low-skilled student. After the data gathered, then the data needs to be analyzed immediately. Data analysis conducted in this research is qualitative and quantitative data analysis. This data is analyzed by the following steps: (1) reducing data, (2) presenting data, and (3) drawing conclusions and verification. Based on research objectives and research results can be concluded that the application of guided discovery method can improve the mastery of the concept of tangent circle in the analytic geometry course in the majors of mathematics education UM Mataram.Hal is evidenced by the increase in the average value of students and the increase in SR generated if membenadingkan results preliminary and final tests.

COMPARISON OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: HIGH AND LOW ABILITY STUDENT NURSES AND YEAR OF TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND

Seventy-five student nurses at the Southland Hospital, Invercargill, New Zealand, were assessed independently by ward and tutorial staff on a 5-point scale rating the quality of their work. Comparisons of high and low ability students were then made on scores from the following instruments: Rokeach Dogmatism Scale, Wilson-Patterson Conservatism Scale, Allport-Vernon-Lindsey Study of Values, Cattell 16 Personality Factors Test, Shostrom Personal Orientation Inventory. “t” tests of significant differences between means revealed the following profiles for the high ability student nurse: (a) Comparison based on ward staff ratings of ability: conservative, religious, dogmatic, and low on political and economic values: (b) comparison based on tutorial staff ratings of ability: relaxed, higher on social values, and tends to live in the past or future rather than the present. A comparison of the three years showed that the student nurse most likely to stay in the program had the following profile: more political, less religious, less acceptant of aggression, and higher ward rating.