REVITALISASI PENDIDIKAN MATEMATIKA

By: Dr. Marsigit, M.A.

Reviewed by: Fikri Hermawan

Teaching math is not easy because we often find many students who are also not easy to learn mathematics. On the other hand found the fact that it is not easy for educators to change the style of teaching (Dean, 1982: 32). While we as educators are required to constantly adjust our teaching methods in accordance with the demands of changing times (Alexander, 1994: 20). Revitalization of mathematics education trying to put the important role of teachers to make math education more appropriate to educate in the sense of meaning in truth and nature of science which is the object of learning itself.

Revitalization of mathematics education should come from individual educators for self-reflection and reflection factual conditions of practice learning. Reflection will be useful to know the positive aspects and deficiencies or weaknesses that will be used as a suggestion to determine steps or attitude toward a new paradigm in education and then try to implement into real practice.

The results of research by the author (1996: 130) concludes that there is still a gap wide enough for math teachers in implementing the theories of learning. It thus is caused by many factors, among others: lack of understanding of teachers' theories of meaning and how to apply, the education system that is less supportive, less conducive environmental conditions, and teaching facilities incomplete. Target achievement of high grades and completion of the syllabus are the two main factors why the teacher had no other alternative in the teaching of mathematics but only rely on teaching methods within the framework of classical exposition with emphasis on the provision of duty.

That teachers are better able to realize the revitalization of education in mathematics learning that fosters the creativity of students, referring to the Review Cockroft Report (1982) as well as the elaboration of Ebbut, S and Straker, A (1995), there are a few suggestions that might be useful advice for teachers in implementing the learning of mathematics which is divided into several stages:

1.      Teaching Stage Setup

-          Planning for mathematics learning environment

-          Plan activities of mathematics

2.      Learning Phase

-          Developing the role of teacher

-          Set the time to whom and when doing math activities together or not with students

3.      Evaluation Phase

-          Observing students' activities

-          Evaluate yourself