Identification of students’ difficulties in understanding of vector concepts using test of understanding of vector

This study is aimed to identify students’ difficulties in understanding vector concepts in physics because many students think that vector concept is very difficult to understand. This research used an embedded approach research design with quantitative descriptive methods and the sampling used a random sampling technique. Total sample of 142 students from two different schools in Central Lombok district. Test of understanding of vector (TUV) used to test the understanding of students consist of 20 item questions, then followed by interview session with several students. Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric descriptive and inferential statistic was used to performed data analysis. The results of this study indicate that (i) students’ ability to understand vector concepts is still lacking and tends to be very lacking; (ii) the most difficult items for students are the unit vector graphic representation and the graphical representation of vector multiplication. The concept of vector is still considered very difficult for students, especially if the item questions use graphical representations. For further researchers, it is better to conduct a study related to what kind of learning system can support and reduce the difficulties faced by students in learning vector concepts especially on graphical representation.

Hubungan Motivasi, Harga Diri, dan Kepercayaan Diri Terhadap Keberhasilan Siswa Belajar Matematika [Correlation Between Motivation, Self-Esteem, and Self Confidence to Student’s Success in Studying Mathematics]

<div><p class="1eAbstract-text">The success of students learning Mathematics at “X” Junior High School is very low. Alike success of students learning Mathematics, the students also have low motivation, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence. According to this fact, guessed that there is correlation between motivation and success of students, between self-esteem and success of students, and between self-confidence and success of students learning Mathematics, so needed a research to see that correlation. Research method that was used to see that correlation is correlation method, with questionnaire as a tool to collect data from 131 students of “X” Junior High School. Technique used to analyze data are statistical techniques, which are descriptive and inferential statistic. The conclusions are 1) there is a significant correlation between motivation and success of students learning Mathematics at “X” Junior High School, 2) there is significant correlation between self-esteem and success of students learning Mathematics at “X” Junior High School, and 3) there is significant correlation between self-confidence and success of students learning Mathematics at “X” Junior High School.</p></div>

HUBUNGAN PENGUASAAN KOSAKATA SISWA DENGAN KEMAMPUAN BERBICARA SISWA KELAS XI SMA NEGERI 1 LEDO TAHUN AJARAN 2016/2017

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan penguasaan kosakata siswa dengan keterampilan berbicara mereka. Penelitian ini dilakukan melalui desain korelasional. Sampel penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas XI SMAN 1 Ledo tahun pelajaran 2016-2017. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian korelasi dengan Teknik pengumpulan data kuantitatif deskriptif statistic dan inferensial statistik. alat yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah rubrik score speaking performance untuk mengukur keterampilan berbicara siswa, sedangkan untuk mengukur penguasaan kosakata siswa (vocabulary mastery) menggunakan Multiple choice test (tes pilihan ganda) dimana secara manual (test Item validity and reliability) telah dilakukan validitas dan relibilitas terhadap kedua alat test tersebut. Untuk menganalisis data didalam penelitian ini penulis menggunakan descriptive statistic (nilai individu atau individual score, nilai rata rata atau mean score) dan inferential statistic (pearson product momen correlation) untuk menghitung variable penguasaan kosakata (vocabulary mastery) dan keterampilan berbicara (speaking skill). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa untuk tingkat Kosa Kata dan Prestasi Berbicara Siswa pada kelas XI SMAN 1 Ledo berada pada tingkat yang baik. Peneliti juga menemukan bahwa terdapat korelasi positif antara penguasaan kosakata dengan keterampilan berbicara siswa kelas XI SMAN 1 Ledo tahun pelajaran 2016-2017 dengan signifikansi korelasi sebesar 0,943. Korelasi tersebut tergolong korelasi erat artinya kedua variabel memiliki korelasi yang kuat. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan penguasaan kosakata dan keterampilan berbicara siswa berkorelasi positif, artinya tingkat penguasaan kosakata tertinggi maka tingkat keterampilan berbicara juga tinggi. Oleh karena itu, guru yang berperan dalam mengontrol siswa dalam proses belajar mengajar juga penting untuk mengetahui peningkatan kosa kata dan keterampilan berbicara.

ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN KONEKSI MATEMATIS SISWA DITINJAU DARI PENGGUNAKAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN CORE (CONNECTING, ORGANIZING, REFLECTING, EXTENDING)

The aim of this study is to analyze students’ mathematical connection ability on the topic of Phytagoras theorem which reviewed on using CORE learning model at the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 8 Padangsidimpuan. The research was conducted by applying experimental method (intact group comparison design) with 54 students as the sample and they were taken by using Cluster random sampling technique. Sample was divided into two groups, 27 students as control class (using lecture) and 27 students as experimental class (using CORE). Based on descriptive analysis, it was found: (a) the average of students’ mathematical connection ability before using lecture learning model was 50.82 (fair category) and after using lecture learning model was 73.66 (enough category) and (b) the average of students’ mathematical connection ability before using CORE learning model was 50.72 (fair category) and after using CORE learning model was 85.25 (good category). Furthermore, based on inferential statistic by using N-Gain, the result showed g= 0.369 (low category) for control class and g=0.706 (high category) for experimental class. It ‘s concluded that using CORE more effective than lecture learning model on the topic of Phytagoras theorem at the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 8 Padangsidimpuan.

Put Safety First: Exploring the Role of Health and Safety Practices in Improving the Performance of SMEs

The study was conducted to ascertain the role of health and safety practices (HSPs) in improving the performance of the firm and safety performance. The study was conducted in Pakistan, a developing country from South Asia. This study collected data from various small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Karachi and Sindh, Pakistan. Data were analyzed through statistical packages for scientific solutions. The feasibility of survey data was primarily tested with the help of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, .80, which shows the construct items to have interitem consistency. Subsequently, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistic techniques (Pearson correlation coefficient of significant [two-tailed] and simple regression) were used. The study findings reveal that HSPs have a significant effect on the performance of SMEs and safety performance. Firms in developing countries need to pay more attention to HSPs so that the positive benefits of increased SME performance and safety performance can be attained. The implications are discussed in detail.

INTRINSIC OR EXTRINSIC DISCIPLINE: CASE STUDY OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Discipline is a major component in school for the promotion of quality education and responsible citizen for society. The major purpose of the study was to explored intrinsic or extrinsic discipline in schools at secondary level; to compare the results by locality, gender and grade wise. The province of Punjab was divided into three (north, central, southern) zones. Sample was selected from 2304 schools by equal ratio from each zone. Self-constructed instrument on five point likert scale having 50 items was used to collect data from schools. Instrument sent to eight research experts for validation, then the instrument considered final for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistic used for data analysis. The study concluded that discipline practiced at public secondary schools was intrinsic in nature and the condition of discipline in schools was satisfactory. Significant difference observed in boys and girls students’ opinions; female schools were more disciplined as compared to male. The results reveal significant difference in rural and urban students’ opinions; rural schools were more disciplined as compared to urban. There was also significant difference in the opinions of 9th and 10th grade respondents, 10th grade was more disciplined as compared to 9th grade

PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN MEDIA INSTAGRAM BERMUATAN PROBLEM POSING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN KOMUNIKASI MATEMATIS SISWA SMA

The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) students' mathematical communication skills before being given learning using Instagram media containing problem posing in the system of linear equations and inequalities; (2) students' mathematical communication skills after being given learning using Instagram media containing problem posing in the material of linear equations and inequality systems; (3) the effect of using Instagram media containing problem posing on students' mathematical communication skills in the material of linear equations and inequality systems in class X SMA Koperasi Pontianak; (4) the magnitude of the influence by using Instagram media with problem posing content on students' mathematical communication skills in the material of linear equations and inequality systems in class X SMA Koperasi Pontianak. This reseach method is to use the Pre Eksperimental Desaign method. Sampling was done by saturated sampling technique. The instrument for collecting data was a test of mathematical communication skills. The data analysis in this study used descriptive data analysis and inferential statistic. The results of the study were that before the learning model was applied with an average student score of 39.97 which was classified as a failure, and after being applied the learning model with an average of 58.07 was sufficient so that there was an increase, from the research results there was also an influence and also the magnitude of the effect. After learning is applied using instructional media that contains problem posing on students' mathematical communication skills.

The Contribution of Academic Supervision and Teacher Working Group on Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence

The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) an overview of the implementation of academic supervision, the Teacher Working Group (KKG), and teachers’ pedagogic competences; 2) The effect of academic supervision and the Teacher Working Group (KKG) on the pedagogical competence of elementary school teachers in Manggala District, Makassar City. This quantitative study was performed in the form of an associative research. The objects of this study were 309 elementary school teachers at 30 schools in Manggala District, Makassar City. Samples were 50% of the total population (155 people) selected using a proportional random sampling technique. Data were collected from questionnaire, observation, and documentation. The obtained data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and hypotheses were tested based on inferential statistic test. The results of the study showed that: The effectiveness of academic supervision was regarded moderate, while the Teacher Working Group (KKG) was considered effective. In addition, teachers’ pedagogical competence was categorized moderate category. Furthermore, the academic supervision and the Teacher Working Group showed a positive and significant contribution on the pedagogical competence of elementary school teachers in Manggala Kota District Makassar. Thus, it can be concluded that academic supervision activities carried out by school principals and activities carried out in the Teacher Working Group (KKG) forum improved elementary school teachers’ pedagogical competence.

Impact Of Technological Innovation On SMEs Performance In Taraba State (A Study Of SMEs In Wukari Metropolis)

Over the years, SMEs has been the tool for economic growth of many nations. The application of technological innovations by SMEs to meet emerging business opportunities, social needs and environmental challenges has been on increase. The study investigated the impact of technological innovations on SMEs performance in Wukari metropolis. The study adopted survey research design to study a sample of 100 SMEs in the area. Primary data used for the study is structured questionnaire which was structured in a (5) five likert scale format. Data collected from the study was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistic. Simple percentage was the descriptive statistic used while ordinary least square (OLS) multiple regression, was the inferential statistic used. The study revealed that communication innovation, mobile transfer innovation and computing system innovation has significant effect on SMEs performance in Wukari metropolis. The study thus, recommend that SMEs managers should sustain and invest more on communication innovation, mobile transfer innovation and computing system innovation to improve their business and ensure cost reduction, prevention of bad debts and loss of stock.

Nutritional status and body composition in individuals with overweight or obesity using usual and unusual indicators

Objective: the aim of this study is to explore the nutritional status in adults according to usual and non-usual components of body composition. Methods: this is a descriptive study involving a sample of 274 Brazilians adults from the south of the country. The participants had their body composition assessed by an octapolar bioimpedanciometer (InBody 520 - Biospace) and the anthropometric parameters according to the WHO standard. The data was analyzed by the descriptive and inferential statistic with the software SPSS version 22.0. Results: The participants were grouped by nutritional status and sex. There were statistical differences between the groups (both nutritional status and sex) in all the variables, except age and stature. The correlation among the variables were also significant, except for the Lean Body Mass and Body Fat Percentage (LBM vs BFP) and for the Lean-to-Fat-Ratio and Lean Body Mass (LFR vs LBM). Final considerations: The results has shown that the usual and the non-usual parameters of body composition are related (most of them) and were more strongly related in the female group.