Analysis of elementary school students^ learning obstacles in solving square and rectangle problems
Herawati (a*), T Herman (b), D Suryadi (b), S Prabawanto (b*) and M Hariyani (a)

a) Sekolah Pascasarjana, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
b) Departemen Pendidikan Matematika, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia

Abstract

The aims of this study to obtain an overview of students^ obstacles in square and rectangle. The method of this research is a qualitative research. The subjects of this study were 51 elementary school students of grade 5 in Bandung and Banda Aceh. Data collection techniques are carried out by observation, tests on the concept of square and rectangle, interview and documentation. The results show that there are student learning obstacles for elementary school student found in the concept of squares and rectangle including: 1) student had low spatial ability because of limited learning media and students^ low knowledge of geometry- 2) students^ low understanding of prerequisite concepts- 3) students have difficulty in connecting the relationship between squares and rectangle- 4) there are still many students who are less able to mention the properties of rectangle- and 5) students are less able to solve problems that require creativity in solving them. Thus it can be concluded that students face learning obstacles (ontogenic, didactic and epistemological obstacles). So that this research can provide an overview for teachers and education practitioners in making and designing teaching materials according to their needs based on the learning obstacle.

Keywords: learning obstacles, , square, rectangle

Topic: Mathematics Education