Developing grade-7 student’s mathematical literacy through mathematical modeling in the topic of ratio

Abstract

This research aimed to develop mathematical literacy by using mathematical modeling in the topic of ratio of grade 7 students. The participants were 44 students in grade 7 of high school in Phichit Province. This study was in the second semester of 2021 academic year. The research methodology was the classroom action research comprising of 3 cycles and took totally 9 hours. The instruments used in the research were three lesson plans based on mathematical modeling in the topic of ratio, activity sheets and mathematical literacy ability test. Data were analyzed by content analysis. The results revealed that, most of students were in excellent level of mathematical literacy ability. For considering three processes of mathematical literacy, the most developed process was formulating situations mathematically, followed by employing mathematical concepts, facts, procedures, and reasoning and the least developed process was interpreting, applying and evaluating mathematical outcomes. In conclusion, learning implementation based on mathematical modeling can improve mathematical literacy. The students learned through analyzing problem situation that is close students’ real life, creating mathematical model, and connect knowledge to another situation, consequently, they can identify problems, select appropriate and relevant mathematical principles and processes and explain the reasonableness of the solution.