Analisis Kesulitan Belajar Matematika pada Siswa SMP Al-Halim Garut

Abstract

This study aims to describe the learning difficulties experienced by students in mathematics and to identify the factors contributing to those difficulties. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach involving 30 students as participants. The primary instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire was developed based on five indicators: learning interest, learning motivation, learning anxiety, attitudes toward learning, and self-confidence. In addition, interviews were conducted with ten students who were purposively selected based on their questionnaire scores (five with the highest difficulty scores and five with the lowest) to obtain more in-depth information. The analysis results show that 48% of students are in the 'moderate' learning difficulty category and 40% are in the 'high' category. These categories are determined based on the total questionnaire score, which refers to five indicators of learning difficulty. These difficulties were mainly caused by students' inability to master and understand mathematical concepts, particularly in comprehending mathematical problems, as well as difficulties in performing arithmetic operations due to a lack of computational skills. As a result, students were unable to solve mathematical problems correctly. Furthermore, the interview findings supported the questionnaire results, indicating that many students still experience significant difficulties in learning mathematics.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan seperti apa kesulitan belajar matematika yang dialami siswa dan disertai faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan kesulitan yang dialami oleh siswa. Metode yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan melibatkan 30 siswa sebagai subjek. Instrumen utama dalam pengumpulan data adalah angket dan wawancara. Angket disusun berdasarkan lima indikator, yaitu: (1) minat belajar, (2) motivasi belajar, (3) kecemasan belajar, (4) sikap terhadap belajar, dan (5) kepercayaan diri. Selain itu, wawancara dilakukan dengan sepuluh siswa yang dipilih secara sengaja berdasarkan skor kuesioner mereka (lima dengan skor kesulitan tertinggi dan lima dengan skor terendah) untuk mendapatkan informasi yang lebih mendalam. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa 48% siswa berada pada kategori kesulitan belajar ‘sedang’ dan 40% pada kategori ‘tinggi’. Kategori ini ditentukan berdasarkan total skor angket yang mengacu pada lima indikator kesulitan belajar. Kesulitan  belajar  tersebut disebabkan oleh kesulitan menguasai dan memahami konsep secara khusus dalam memahami masalah matematis, dan kesulitan pengoperasian bilangan atau tidak mempunyai keterampilan operasi hitung sehingga siswa tidak dapat menyelesaikan soal dengan benar. Dari hasil wawancara didukung diketahui bahwa siswa masih banyak mengalami kesulitan.