The Improvement of the Understanding of Mathematical Concepts through the Implementation of Realistic Mathematics Learning and Ethnomathematics

The easiness of learning can be experienced if learning contents and contexts are related to students’ daily activities. One of them is a learning approach that has realistic characters based on ethnomathematics. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of ethnomathematics and realistic mathematical approach on the ability to understanding concepts. The research was a quasi-experimental study to implementation of the realistic mathematics learning based on ethnomathematics. We were using the 2×2 factorial experiment design. The samples was 84 students of all students in one of the senior high schools in Rejang Lebong. Samples were selected with intact-group techniques. Data collection is done using instruments of understanding the ability of mathematical concepts. Data were analyzed by using covariate analysis. The results were the ability to understanding mathematical concepts from students taught with realistic mathematical learning approaches is higher than those taught with direct instruction, when two groups of students given ethnomathematics-oriented material. Keywords—ethnomathematics; realistic mathematics; understanding concepts