Mental retardation student’ arithmetic problem-solving ability of through computational thinking-oriented approach

Mental retardation students experience intellectual development far below the average mental and adaptive behavioral barriers that make it challenging to solve arithmetic problems, especially multiplication operations. Even though they have limitations, they can develop through an appropriate learning approach for solving multiplication problems. This study aims to analyze the achievement and improvement of students’ multiplication problem-solving abilities by applying a computational thinking-oriented approach. This research was included in a quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent group control design. The experimental group subjects were five students with mild mental retardation from SLB Dharma Rena Ring Putra. In comparison, the control group subjects were three students from SLBN 2 Bantul. The research instruments were test questions using multiplication problems and interview guidelines. The results showed that learning with a computational thinking-oriented approach was quite effective. The average value of N-Gain for the experimental is 63.06%, there is higher than conventional learning, with the average N-Gain for its control class being 39.63%. Further research can be carried out by developing teaching materials based on the computational thinking-oriented approach to complement learning so that it is very effective applied to mental retardation students.