Thinking Profile of Junior High School Students with Different Mathematical Ability

Ahmad Isro’il

e_mail ahmad.isroil@gmail.com

This study has aims to describe the profile of junior high school students’ thinking in solving math problems. Using Polya’ problem-solving steps is; understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back. This is a descriptive research with
a qualitative approach. The subjects of this research are three students of high, medium and low in mathematical ability based on results mathematics ability test. Data collection methods are task-based interviews.
Students of high and medium mathematical ability were thinking relatively similar. In understanding the problem: student of high math ability received information by reading silently, while student of medium math ability received information by reading problems with a soft voice and used their hands to point at the words she read; They recalled information about the known and asked notions, they processing information linked received information with prior knowledge, and they retrieved information by explaining and writing what is known and asked. In devising a plan: they processed information by linking prior knowledge with information received; they stored information by creating mathematical models, and the mathematical models according to the information on the problem; And they recalled information by explaining previous knowledge about a linear equation of one variable. In carrying out the plan: they recalled information that has been planned; they process information by using numerical and algebra counting operations correctly, and the obtained results were correct; they stored information in the planned manner. In looking back: they stored information by performing a repetition of steps to implement the settlement plan.

Student with low math abilities in understanding the problem: She received information by reading problems while speaking softly and underlining some of the words read, she recalled information about known notions and being asked; she processing information linked information received with prior knowledge, and she stored information by saying back and writing down what is known and asked. In Devising a plan: she processed information by linking prior knowledge with information received; she stored information by making mathematical models, but the mathematical model created is less appropriate to the information in question, And she recalled information by explaining previous knowledge about a linear equation of one variable. In carrying out the plan: she recalled information that has been planned; she processed information using numerical and algebraic counting operations but making mistakes when using fractional counting operations, and the obtained results were incorrect; she stored information in the planned manner. In looking back: she stored information by performing a repetition of steps to implement the settlement plan.