EFFORT TO IMPROVE STUDENT'S MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY CONTEXTUAL TEACHING AND LEARNING AT SMP NEGERI 1 BINJAI

The purpose of this research was to know whether contextual teaching and
learning (CTL) approach could improve students’ mathematical problem solving
ability (SMPSA) in eighth grade of SMP Negeri 1 Binjai. The type of this
research was Classroom Action Research.
The subject of this research was students in class VIII-9 which consisted
of 20 students. The object was SMPSA on cube and cuboid topic in eighth grade
of SMP Negeri 1 Binjai Academic Year 2015/2016.
This study consisted of two cycles. Each cycle had two meetings. SMPSA
was tested in the end of cycle. Instrument used to collect data in this research were
test and observation sheet.
After giving a treatment to students, in the first cycle, the average score of
their mathematical problem solving ability was 2.30. Ten of 20 students (50%)
obtained score  2.67. The average score of teacher’s activities in observation
sheet was 2.66, which classified as good category. The average score of students’
activities in observation sheet was 2.55, which classified as good category. In the
second cycle, the average score of mathematical problem solving ability was
increased became 3.05 with 18 students (90%) obtained score  2.67. The average
score of teacher’s activities in observation sheet was 3.44, which classified as very
good category. The average score of students’ activities in observation sheet was
3.22, which classified as very good category.
From the result of research, it can be concluded that the implementation of
contextual teaching and learning (CTL) approach can improve students’ problem
solving ability. The suggestion that given for teachers is to be able to implement
contextual teaching and learning (CTL) approach as an alternative in learning
process that can improve problem solving ability.