Edumatika : Jurnal Riset Pendidikan Matematika

The Effect of Problem-Based Learning on Junior High School Students’ Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability: A Meta-Analysis

Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Mathematical problem-solving ability remains a major challenge among junior high school students, while empirical studies on the effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) have reported inconsistent findings. Purpose: This study aims to synthesize evidence of PBL effectiveness on junior high school students’ mathematical problem-solving ability. Method: Through meta-analysis following PRISMA procedures, 14 eligible studies published between 2016 and 2025 were identified, while 11 studies used for further analysis. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software was used to determine effect sizes, heterogeneity, publication bias, and moderator variables. Findings: The results showed that PBL has a medium effect size (g = 0.569; p < 0.001) with stronger effect in Grade VIII, topics requiring HOTS, and during the COVID-19 studies. Heterogeneity was moderate, while publication bias and sensitivity tests confirmed results’ robustness. Implications: These findings support the use of PBL in mathematics learning to enhance students’ mathematical problem-solving ability across diverse classroom settings. Originality: This study contributes a quantitative synthesis of PBL effectiveness and highlights factors influencing its impact on mathematical problem-solving ability.

Enhancing Elementary Students’ Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills through Fraction Board Manipulatives Media

Dewi Anggraeni, Linda Astriani — Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Many elementary school students experience difficulties in solving word problems on fractions due to limited conceptual understanding and challenges in performing fraction operations. Purpose: This study examined the effect of fraction board media on fourth-grade students’ mathematical problem-solving skills in fraction tasks. Method: A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental posttest-only control group design was employed. The sample consisted of 56 fourth-grade students in South Jakarta, divided equally into experimental and control group. Data were collected using five items of essay test based on Polya’s problem-solving indicators (reliability coefficient = 0.809) and analyzed using an independent sample t-tests. Findings: The result showed a significant difference between the two groups (t = 9.263, p = 0.000). Students who learn using fraction board media demonstrated higher mathematical problem-solving skills than those who received conventional instruction. Implication: Fraction board media can serve as a low-cost and effective instructional tool for elementary teachers to support students’ conceptual understanding and enhancing problem-solving skills in fraction learning. Originality: This study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of fraction board media in improving fourth-grade students’ mathematical problem-solving skills on fraction topics through a quasi-experimental approach.

Students' Problem-Solving Skills in Polyhedral Geometry with GeoGebra Augmented Reality Support

Ruth Helen Simarmata, Muhammad Ali Buchari — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Students often face difficulties in geometry learning, especially in topics that require students to interpret spatial objects and transform visual information into mathematical procedures including polyhedral geometry. Purpose: This study aims to analyze students’ mathematical problem-solving based on Polya’s framework in polyhedral geometry tasks within a GeoGebra Augmented Reality (AR)-supported. Method: This study used a mixed-method involving 30 eighth-grade students in Prabumulih. Data were collected through a mathematical problem-solving test, interviews, and classroom observation. Students’ responses were analyzed using a scoring rubric based on four stages of Polya’s problem solving: understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back. Findings: Most students fell into the medium problem-solving category (63.3%), with only 10% achieving the high category. While students performed best in understanding the problem, their primary difficulties lay in devising a plan and looking back. Implication: The integration of GeoGebra AR supports students in visualizing three-dimensional objects concretely. However, visual support alone is not sufficient to ensure complete problem-solving performance. Originality: The contribution of this study lies in a stage-by-stage diagnostic profile of students’ mathematical problem-solving in polyhedral geometry within a GeoGebra AR-supported learning environment.

Secondary School Students’ Numeracy Skills Across Four PISA Mathematics Content Domains

Mursyidah J Parandrengi, Duano Sapta Nusantara, Tria Gustiningsi — Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Background: Despite extensive reporting underperformance of Indonesian students in PISA mathematics, limited studies have examined students’ numeracy skills across all four PISA mathematics content domains using translated PISA items. Purpose: This study aims to analyze secondary school students’ numeracy skills in solving translated PISA items across four content domains. Method: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was conducted involving 28 ninth-grade students in Jambi. Quantitative data were collected through a tests consisting of eight translated PISA items, followed by interviews to explain students’ responses in test results. Data were analyzed using a scoring rubric based on formulating, employing, and interpreting. Findings: Students’ performance varied across content domains, with the highest achievement in uncertainty and data (59.90%) and the lowest in space and shape (28.13%). Meanwhile, interviews revealed that students struggled in visualizing geometric situation and connecting it to real-world contexts. Implications: The findings suggest that mathematics instruction should provide more opportunities for students to interpret geometric contexts and justify it in real-life situations. Originality: This study provides a comprehensive localized analysis of students’ numeracy skills across the four PISA mathematics content domains by integrating quantitative data with qualitative explanations.