LEARNING MATHEMATICS THROUGH PALEMBANG CITY TOURISM EXPLORATION

The Mathematics Education Doctoral Study Program has successfully arranged training activities to enhance the competence of elementary school mathematics teachers in Palembang, Indonesia, by providing learning-based support utilizing the Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education Approach (PMRI).

This activity took place face-to-face in the Doctoral Room, Postgraduate Building, Sriwijaya University (Padang Selasa), involved Mathematics Education Doctoral Students, Mathematics Education Masters Students, and teachers from SD IBA Palembang, SDN 21 Palembang, SDN 01 Palembang, and SDN 55 Palembang.

Prof. Dr. Zulkardi, M.I. Komp., M.Sc. opened the integrated scheme community service activity, which was invited by four speakers (Prof. Dr. Zulkardi, M.I. Komp., M.Sc., Prof. Dr. Ratu Ilma Indra Putri, M.Sc., Dr. Arvin Efriani, M.Pd., and Dr. Duano Sapta Archipelago). Additionally, 40 participants from school principals and partner schoolteachers attended this event.

Prof. Dr. Zulkardi, M.I. Komp., M.Sc., the first speaker, presented on “Learning Mathematics and PMRI Using the Palembang Tourism Context.” Prof. Zulkardi delivered new insight about PMRI by transforming the encompassing context into an engaging and meaningful situation or context for both learning and class assessment. It is expected that after participating in this activity, participants will be able to become REKREASI teachers (Realistik, Kreatif, Aspiratif, dan Inovatif) who can support students in learning mathematics in the context of tourism.

Prof. Dr. Ratu Ilma Indra Putri, M.Si., the second speaker, emphasized the importance of strengthening social norms in learning and assessment. The significance of bolstering social norms is to ensure that teachers are no longer at the core of providing knowledge but instead become knowledge organizers by guiding students in discussions about the topics being taught. Through engaging videos, this session also introduces participants to social norms and socio-mathematical norms.

Dr. Arvin Efriani, M.Pd., the third speaker, discussed the implementation of PMRI utilizing the STEM model, which aims to establish best practices in mathematics learning for kindergarten students using the PMRI approach with the STEM model. Dr. Arvin then allowed participants to discuss and experience making a rudimentary telephone out of ropes and plastic cups. Participants were invited to investigate essential mathematics learning in this context, particularly those relating to geometry.

Dr. Duano Sapta Nusantara, the fourth speaker, delivered guidance for the mentoring activity that consisted of developing learning instructions using the tourism context. Participants in this session received inspiration for learning instructions and resources focusing on the tourism sector. Then, participants developed learning instructions using a tourism context in small groups. Participants were requested to freely share the results of the learning instructions they resulted in in conjunction with their small groups to the larger group after they had finished designing them. Participants from other groups are given by the speaker the chance to offer valuable feedback and insight into the results of their designs. These comments and recommendations are the basis for the initial draft’s revision.

There were fruitful discussions with the speakers about the previously explained topics in each material session. After the event, participants were tasked with enhancing the initial learning design and assessment using the tourism context and determining the schedule for an open class through a discussion process. The mentoring process is conducted online using Google Classroom and WhatsApp groups for intensive communication. The principal and teachers were thrilled to participate in this activity. In addition to obtaining new insights, teachers and principals can collaborate with teachers from other schools to develop PMRI-based learning instructions.