A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Learning Obstacles on Combinatorics
Rita Kusumawardani (a*), Didi Suryadi (b), Kusnandi (b)

a) Department of Mathematics Education, Postgraduate School, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia
*rita_kusumawardani[at]yahoo.com
b) Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia

Abstract

Combinatorics is an important concept in Curriculum of Mathematics Education Department. Nevertheless, many students find some difficulties to learn combinatorics concept. This study aims to analyze the learning obstacles that cause the difficulties. This uses a qualitative method with hermeneutic phenomenological approach. This involves 26 students of Mathematics Education Department in Indraprasta PGRI University as research subjects that are selected by purposive sampling technique. The data are collected by test and interview then analyzed descriptively. Triangulation is used to verify the data validity. Generally, the results show that students have learning obstacles in combinatorics. The learning obstacles involve ontogenic obstacles, epistemological obstacles, and didactical obstacles.

Keywords: Learning Obstacle- Hermeneutic Phenomenology- Combinatorics

Topic: Mathematics Education