Development of Ethnomathematics-Based Handouts Using the Musi VI Bridge to Improve Elementary Students’ Understanding of Plane Geometry

Abstract

This research is motivated by the low understanding of elementary school students of flat building materials because learning tends to be abstract and less associated with students' real experiences. One of the efforts that can be made is to develop ethnomathematics-based contextual teaching materials that utilize local culture, such as the geometric structure on the Musi VI Bridge in Palembang. This study aims to develop a valid, practical, and effective ethnomathematics-based mathematics handout for elementary school grade IV students. The method used is research and development with a 4D model, which includes the define, design, develop, and disseminate stages. The subjects of the study were 28 grade IV students of SD Muhammadiyah 3 Palembang. Data collection techniques used interviews, validation questionnaires, response questionnaires, observations, and learning outcome tests. The results showed that the handouts developed obtained an average validity of 90.3% with the very valid category, student responses of 91% and teachers of 93% with the very practical category, and an increase in learning outcomes from an average of pretest 58.4 to a posttest of 84.6 with an N-Gain value of 0.63 in the medium category. Thus, the ethnomathematics-based mathematics handout of the Musi VI Bridge is stated to be suitable for use because it is able to improve understanding of the concept of building flat while integrating local culture into more meaningful learning.