A Group of Students of IPB Created Game Scrabble Mathematics
Math is a subject that makes students either jump for joy or rip their hair out. However, math is inescapable as you become an adult in the real world. From calculating complicated algorithms to counting down the days till the next Game of Thrones episode, math is versatile and important, no matter how hard it is to admit. Math is needed for almost every single profession in the world. If you want to be a CEO, a real estate agent, a biologist, or even a rocket scientist, it is without a doubt that numbers will be utilized. Basically, you will never be able to escape math and you might as well accept it and have fun learning it while your career does not depend on it, Math teaches logic and order. Math is also a way of thinking; using abstract thinking to solve problems, depending on your common sense and logic. Without math you can't be very functional in economy and society. You can expect a math equation to have a predictable outcome, and precise steps must be followed in order to attain that result. Thus, math is important but difficult and boring. What math knowledge will your child need later on in university? Teachers play an important role in fostering math skills. They need to incorporate aspects of language, including reading and writing, into their subject and provide direct instruction on methods of exploration.
Many Indonesian math educators felt that this top–down, ‘traditional’ teaching approach to school mathematics not only adversely affected students’ perception of math but also their achievement in national examinations. Research revealed that the usual method of teaching applied by teachers is less effective, especially for students who are less than 12 years old. Some even thought that a significant number of children consider some mathematics topics as difficult to understand. This is because their mindset is still on concrete patterns of thinking, namely in the learning process and obtain information must use intermediaries. Therefore, a learning method is needed that is able to change the way children think from concrete thinking to formal patterns of thinking. Why did the teacher say that? Through these questions, we can better know and understand the hidden features of the lessons being observed.
To respond such question, a group of students of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), consists of Andri Prastyo, Bernet Deti Kapsari, M Firman Ardiyansyah and Laras Insiya Pertiwi created a game called “Gramatics” (Game Scrabble Mathematics). It is an educational games, and it is created to in order to improve the reasoning and thinking patterns of students. The program was funded by Program Kreativitas Mahasiswa Pengabdian Masyarakat (PKM-M Student Creativity Program for Community Development). Galih Prayogi was Chairman of the group.
“Gramatics” is a creative and innovative game aimed at improving students' dexterity and math power in the field of mathematics. It is expected that with this game children are able to think critically and not bored during the process of learning mathematics.
“Gramatics” is a development of English Scrabble, where tiles which are originally alphabets then they are converted into numbers. So the method used for such game is the method of preparation of mathematical operations, "said Galih, student of the Department of Physicss. This program is implemented in Bogor Children's Social Protection House which was established in 1958. Social Protection House is managed by the Bogor Regional Social Service. The neglected Children from the Bogor and surrounding areas are taken care of and provided with formal and informal education. Efforts to improve the social welfare of children in the House of Social Protection is manifested through various services, namely: the provision of shelter, formal education, religious education, skills, and independence.
There are 60 children in the Children's Social Protection Home consists of 35 boys and 25 girls. The children have many different educational backgrounds, namely elementary, junior high, and high school / vocational school.
The House planned community service programs, one of which is "Explore my Object". This program is designed to determine the ability of children and learning methods used in House Protection Social Care.
Then "Introduce Gramatics", it is the program that aims to introduce Gramatics and its guidebook. Next "Practice on The Board", it is designed to test children using Gramatics. The purpose is to know how far the program design influences the participants.
Finally, "Gramatics Competition", it is a Gramatics competition for children in the Bogor Children's Social Protection Care House. The aim of the program is attract children to be active in all programs and are eager to learn math.
"To monitor the progress of this program, Galih and the team planned to conduct evaluation program. Method utilized for the program, they conducted indepth interview, i.e. they interview participant on the implementation of program they implemented. In addition, Pre-test and post-test had also been conducted to monitor and evaluate the stage. The objective of the program were to know whether children in the House of Social Protection Child Care understood and accepted math subject they learned by using Gramatics game, "he said. (Wied)
