Fostering mathematical literacy amongst primary school students using realistic mathematics education approach

The present study aims at comparing different ways of conducting lesson on two-digits multiplication for primary school students using algorithm and Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) approach. Qualitative experiment with user observation method had deliberately chosen as the design of the study as the intention is to figure out the impact of treatment while the subjects stay in natural setting of their habitat. There are three third grade classes consist of 61 primary school students in Singaraja, Bali – Indonesia who participated in this study. The participants were experienced different learning method, which are: (1) conventional class with multiplication algorithm followed by area model, (2) RME followed by multiplication algorithm and (3) RME. The data were gathered from students’ written work on the literacy test. Afterwards, a descriptive quantitative method was performed to analyze the data. The result showed that the third group in which RME approach was employed gained the best average scores to solve the literacy problems. Meanwhile, the second group in which the RME lesson was followed by multiplication algorithm gained the best average scores in solving routine problems. The study implies that RME approach contributes to the better mathematical literacy skills for young students.