STUDENTS’ STRATEGIC COMPETENCE PROFILES IN SOLVING MATHEMATICS PROBLEM BASED ON LEARNING STYLES

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe the profiles of students' strategic competences that have
visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning style in solving mathematics problem. There were three subjects,
one visual student, one auditory student, one kinesthetic student, which were chosen from the eleventh
grade students of Science with high mathematical abilities, good communication skills, and the same
gender. The instruments used were the VAK learning style test, the mathematics ability test, the
mathematics problem solving test, and the interview guidelines. The results obtained the description of
visual student profile, auditory student profile, and kinesthetic student profile in selecting and
implementing strategies when formulating, representing, and solving problems, as follows: (1) visual
student read silently, imagined, and drew to understand the problem; mentioned the known and unknown
information verbally with the help of images; used images and symbols to represent problems; observed,
analyzed and broke down images to find relevant concepts and formulas; solved the problem using those
concepts and formulas. (2) Auditory student read in a low voice and drew to understand the problem;
mentioned the known and unknown information verbally and in writing; used images and symbols to
represent problems; observed images and recalled her knowledge to find relevant concepts and formulas;
solved the problem using those concepts and formulas. (3) Kinesthetic student read silently while drawing
to understand the problem; mentioned the known and unknown information verbally followed by her body
cues; used images and symbols to represent problems; observed, analyzed and broke down images to find
relevant concepts and formulas; solved problems using those concepts and formulas; random checked to
examine her solution. The results of this study are important as information for mathematics teachers about
the strategic competences of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic students in solving mathematics problems.
From this information, mathematics teachers are expected to be able to design learning that can facilitate
all students in developing their strategic competences.