Exploring the alternative assessment on Mathematical instruction in an era of uncertainty

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in education has caused the learning curriculum to experience replication. Not only in delivering learning material, but replication also occurs in the learning assessment process. Teachers are required to be able to carry out an objective assessment of learning in all subjects. This study aims to determine teacher difficulties and explore alternative assessments used by teachers in mathematics learning in the pandemic era. This research is a qualitative study using an exploratory study approach that aims to deepen the study of research objectives that focus on constraint and alternative phenomena in assessing mathematics learning in elementary schools. The instrument used has been validated by experts and got the value of the coefficient Aiken = 0,742 this shows that the instrument used is valid and in the good category. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires for teachers and field observations in the online learning process. Data analysis was carried out by using descriptive techniques from the findings of the questionnaire and observation instruments. This study's results reveal that the teacher finds it difficult to provide an objective assessment of learning, and the alternative assessment of mathematics learning used is digital learning assessment and structured assignments to parent representatives in each zoning. Future research is expected to develop assessment instruments that can facilitate online learning assessments in the pandemic era.

Improving students’ critical thinking skills using Time Bar Media in Mathemathics learning in the third grade primary school

This study aims to improve the students’ critical thinking skills using time bar media in mathematics learning for in grade IIIA of State Primary School Kotagede I. It used classroom action research as design by Kemmis and McTaggart. The subjects of this research were grade 3th State Primary School Kotagede I with a total of 30 students. The data were collected through observation, written tests, and interviews. The research instrument used was the teacher's activity observation sheet in mathematics learning, written test questions, and interview guides for teachers and students. The instrument of the test each test question there are 6 items in the description. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative and qualitative techniques. The results showed that the use of time bar media in mathematics learning could improve students' critical thinking skills. The critical thinking skills covered: providing simple explanations, building basic skills, concluding, providing further explanations, and arranging strategies and tactics. The increase in students' critical thinking skills was seen based on the test results in the pre-action (43%) which increased to 80% in the first cycle and increased to 90% in the second cycle. Keywords: students', critical thinking skills, time bar media

Implementation of multicultural education through Sasambo Dance at the University of Mataram

The risk of conflict on a multicultural campus is huge. Not a few conflicts between students who are motivated by cultural problems. Conflict prevention efforts can be done through multicultural education. One of the multicultural universities in Indonesia is the university of Mataram. This study aims to describe the implementation of multicultural education at the University of Mataram. The unit of analysis in this study is students of elementary school teacher education programs. This research is important to do considering the diverse cultural backgrounds of students. Students are always faced with cultural diversity within the university. This research was designed in the form of qualitative research. The approach used is ethnographic. The main problem examined in this study is how to apply multicultural education in PGSD study programs. The results of the study revealed that in implementing multicultural education in PGSD study programs using a local wisdom approach. One of them is through the Sasambo dance. Sasambo dance is a dance created by Sasak, Samawa, and Mbojo tribes. Sasambo dance is made an icon of PGSD. Each student is required to learn and take the meaning of the dance. The values contained in the Sasambo dance are the spirit of unity, cooperation, and equality. This dance illustrates the spirit of unity and equality of the three main ethnic groups in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. Through the Sasambo dance students are taught that each ethnic group has the same position. Mutual respect and respect for differences is the key. The implementation of multicultural education is important. Prospective elementary school teaching students in the future have a very important role in instilling the value of diversity of character in elementary schools.

Development of story calendar media: Literacy resources for learning of narrative writing skills and character responsibilities

This research is motivated by the need for instructional media to improve narrative writing skills and the character of student responsibility. Because of this, a story calendar with the theme of responsibility was developed. This research is RnD research. Starting from research and information collecting, planning, develop preliminary form of product, preminary field testing, main product revision, main field testing, operational product revision. Based on the results of the media development that has been performed above, it can be conclude that the story calendar media are ready for implementation. The validity is proven by the validators, consisting the media expert, material expert, language expert, and also from the teachers and students responses. The mean score from the expert and teachers responses is belongs to “Very Eligible” criteria. All the students responses showed that they said “Yes” almost 100% in all the statement from the students questionnaire. It is excpected that the story calendar media can serve as an alternative of literacy media and supplementation learning material, especially for writing skills learning and developing student’s responsibility character. Keywords: media, story calendar, writing skill, narrative, responsibility

Developing a Math Textbook using realistic Mathematics Education Approach to increase elementary students’ learning motivation

This study aims to develop an appropriate and practical math textbook in the unit of the Least Common Multiple (LCM) and the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) using Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) in order to increase elementary students’ learning motivation. This is a Research and Development (RnD) type of study with the Plomp model. A mathematician and a teacher assessed the validity of the textbook. The practicality of the textbook was assessed by two teachers and 15 students using questionnaires. The students' motivation was assessed by the students using questionnaires as well. The results showed that the textbook was appropriate with an average of 83.32%, the respondent results from the students’ views were practical with an average of 82.33% and very practical with an average of 87.6 from the teachers’ view. This study also found that the textbook increased the students’ learning motivation by 6.45%.

Challenges and strategies of postgraduate students in online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic

The ongoing online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic has become a separate catalyst for the development of education that utilizes technology in the current industrial 4.0 era. However, on the other hand, there are still many gaps in online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research study aims to (1) explore the experiences of postgraduate students in online learning; (2) describe the negative impacts and barriers to online learning, along with strategies for dealing with them; and (3) observe the potential that emerges in the future after the Covid-19 pandemic can be overcome. This research is qualitative research with a type of case study. Data were collected through open questionnaires and interviews with participants of 30 postgraduate students of the Primary education study program, Yogyakarta State University. Data analysis was accomplished by examining themes and sub-themes in each topic discussed, then determining the correlation between the sub-themes to conclude. The results show that students have varied experiences throughout online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, students also gain negative physical and psychological impacts, get obstacles concerning data reception, gadgets, interaction with lecturers, independent study, and learning activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, students also still have various strategies in dealing with the obstacles and negative impacts of Covid-19. Finally, online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic is giving potential as well as negative things in the future once it is resolved.

Pre-service primary school mathematics teachers’ beliefs on mathematics assessment

Assessment is an important component in learning mathematics. The practice of mathematics assessment is influenced by teachers' beliefs about the assessment. This study aims to explore the beliefs of primary school mathematics teachers regarding mathematics assessment. The research used quantitative research methods using survey methods to 71 prospective elementary school mathematics teachers. Confidence data regarding mathematics assessment was collected using closed and open questionnaires based on a framework of productive beliefs and unproductive beliefs. Data from closed questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Meanwhile, open questionnaire data were analyzed using deductive coding method based on productive and unproductive beliefs. The results showed that prospective elementary school mathematics teachers held mixed beliefs in mathematics assessment. On the one hand, it can be said that the beliefs of prospective elementary school mathematics teachers regarding mathematics assessment tend to be contradictory. These results imply the importance of an attempt to intervene in the beliefs of prospective elementary school mathematics teachers regarding mathematics assessment. Thus, assessment practice can lead to productive assessment, which is to encourage meaningful mathematics learning.

Development student worksheets based question, read, reflect, recite, review (PQ4R) to improve creatives thinking skills

This research and development aims to develop student worksheet based on proper preview, question, read, reflect, recite, review (PQ4R) (valid, practical and effective). This development research uses the Borg & Gall design which consists of 10 steps. At this research stage, it only uses 5 steps and is divided into three stages. The first stage is preliminary, at this stage it is used to take initial data and review the curriculum, then in the second stage of planning and development, at this stage it is used to design student worksheet, design student worksheet, and make student worksheet. At this stage the student worksheet product is produced. The third stage is the field test stage, at this stage it is used to test practicality and effectiveness. The population in this study were elementary schools in the Rose Cluster, Kotabumi Kota District, North Lampung Regency. The sample of this research was grade IV Students. Data collection techniques are observation, expert validation sheets, documentation, and questionnaires. The results of research and development, namely student worksheet based on PQ4R are very suitable for use as teaching materials in grade IV learning based on the results of the assessment of material experts 85.5 (very good), media experts 92.0 (very good), language experts 93.3 (very good ), and the practitioner test got an average value of 83.5 (very good). The results of the n-gain test showed that the student worksheet based PQ4R used was effective with a value of 0.47.

The effect of PjBL Model toward PGSD student’s ability in conducting research of natural science

This research aims to get information about the effect of the PjBL learning model used in learning on PGSD student’s ability to conduct research of ICT-based science research subjects. This research is an experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design. The outreach population is all 6th-semester students of the ICT-based Science Research Program at Yogyakarta State University and the sampling method uses Purposive Sampling. Data analysis uses a Variant Univariate Analysis T-Test on the significance level of 5%. The results showed that the project-based learning model increases positively and significantly towards student’s ability as well as a significant difference of results towards student’s ability between the group of students studying in the class with conventional methodology and PjBl methodology.

How is the impact of Assessment for Learning (AfL) on mathematics learning in elementary schools?

This study aims to describe the effectiveness of the Assessment for Learning (AfL) in improving the quality of learning and mathematics learning outcomes in elementary schools. This study used a quasi-experimental method with a non-equivalent control group design. The instrument used was a test instrument with good validity, reliability, difficulty level, and different power. The non-test instrument was valid and good. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, mean difference test, and variance difference test on AfL learning outcomes. The results showed that the effectiveness of learning in implementing AfL could be influenced by assessment preparation, student involvement, and follow-up assessment. The quantitative analysis results show that AfL can improve student learning outcomes; there is no mean-variance in AfL learning outcomes; There are differences in learning outcomes, and there are no variants in learning with AfL and conventional assessments. Suggestions, it is necessary to plan the assessment process, diagnose student needs and abilities. Moreover, there is a need for follow-up and feedback to see achievements