Analysis of Students’ Perceptions of Mathematics Subjects: Case studies in Elementary Schools

Abstract

The main problem is elementary school students who have negative perceptions of mathematics. The purpose of this study was to analyze the causes of the emergence of negative perceptions and positive perceptions of students towards mathematics subjects. This type of research is a qualitative study with research subjects of elementary school students. The instrument used was an interview. Data analysis used three steps namely: reduction, data presentation, data verification. The results of this study noted that students who have a positive perception of mathematics are caused by two main factors, namely teacher factors related to competence and internal factors of students in the form of interest or motivation. Students like mathematics because they feel the subject matter will be useful for themselves to be used in everyday life. The results of this study are very important as information and input for educational providers in elementary schools, especially for mathematics teachers who directly interact with students in the learning process.