Mathematical literacy of prospective mathematics teachers in solving social arithmetic problems in the context of the wetland environment

Abstract

Mathematical literacy is an individual’s ability to formulate, use, and interpret mathematics in various contexts. However, the achievement of Indonesian students’mathematical literacy is low, according to the PISA study. Therefore, it is necessary to have a mapping of the mathematical literacy abilities of mathematics education students who are prepared as prospective mathematics teachers. The research describes the mathematical literacy of prospective mathematics teachers in solving social arithmetic problems in the context of the wetland environment. This research used the descriptive method. The participants were 87 students in the second year of mathematics education study program at Universitas Lambung Mangkurat. The students were tested with social arithmetic problems in the context of the wetland environment. The results showed that there are five categorizations of mathematical literacy of prospective mathematics teachers in solving social arithmetic problems in the context of a wetland environment. These categories are 6% of subjects did not solve problems, 3% of subjects only identified problems, 60% of subjects solved problems but did not fit the given context, 3% of subjects solved problems, but the procedure or the final answer is wrong, and 28% of subjects can solve the problem correctly both in the procedure and in the final answer. Based on these findings, prospective mathematics teachers need to be prepared to be familiar with problems related to the context of their environment to improve their mathematical literacy skills.