ICEBERG Approach in Realistic Mathematics
Mathematics is abstract,
I admit that. Until now I still think that mathematics is complicated and always
become the ‘unseen’ thing. If I, the university student, still think mathematics
is abstract thing, then how about children in elementary school and junior high
school? Maybe they will think that mathematics is from the outer-space.
Realistic mathematics
divides mathematics itself into four kinds: concrete mathematics, concrete
model, formal model, and formal mathematics. Concrete mathematics is the lowest
mathematics because we use a concrete object to deliver the material. The
highest is, of course, the formal mathematics. Formal mathematics is used in
university, used by mathematicians. We can say that formal mathematics is the
abstract one.
To facilitate students
to understand the material, teacher can use the ICEBERG method. Here is the
construction of ICEBERG.
The floating capacity
represents the mathematics learning we use in elementary school, junior high
school, and senior high school. Concrete mathematics is given by teacher. This
kind of mathematics is the mathematics world orientation, which means mathematics
is always relevant with our daily life. In learning fraction teacher uses
examples like this picture.
Cake or maybe pizza can show the functions of fraction. This is one of
the examples we can found in our daily life. Concrete model is like when we try
to convert the material from our daily life into other models. For example like
this.
This figure can show us
the same concept in concrete mathematics, but we make it more formal. Then for
concrete model we can make line that shows the measurement of fractions. For
example is the figure shown below.
The top of ICEBERG shows
the formal mathematics, the most confusing part of mathematics. This part shows
the pure mathematics. There are not many people becomes a pure mathematicians,
but there are many of them becomes a mathematics teacher. Mathematics teachers
cannot use formal mathematics because they teach pupils with different ability
to absorb the material. Pupils still need help on mathematics, and the teacher
gives the helps by giving rational problems so they could understand the material.
If teacher gives formal
mathematics to pupils, especially elementary students, then it will be a disaster
for children. Their thought will destroyed by mathematics. They will not like
the mathematics, even though mathematics is needed in every know ledges. They will
not give any attention to mathematics unless the teacher gives the material
step by step, using the ICEBERG construction.
Study ethno mathematics
has same way with study mathematics in general. If students ready for the
lesson, then they will totally absorb the knowledge. Ready signed with happiness
when study, study with joy, and no burden. If students don’t ready, then it
will become a disaster for their mind set. Unready signed with no happiness
when study and reject the knowledge.
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