Development of realistic mathematics education (RME) based teaching materials with the context of fortress of pendem to facilitate mathematical concepts understanding

This research aims at knowing shape of solid figures on the fortress of Pendem in Cilacap, how to develop the learning materials based on the RME with the fortress of Pendem in Cilacap as the context to facilitate mathematical concept understanding, and impacts of the developed learning materials use towards students’ concept understanding. The research is the research and development (R&D). Model development used in this research is the model of Richey and Klein which is called Planning, Production, and Evaluation (PPE). Data collection techniques used in this research are questionnaire, interview, and test. Research instruments used are interview, questionnaire, and concept understanding test. The test of the learning materials was done which was limited only by choosing 6 students from higher, middle and lower group. The data were analyzed by collecting the data, reporting the data, and generating conclusions. The results of the research revealed that the shape of the solid figures which exist in the fortress of Pendem in Cilacap are cuboids, cylinders, and triangular prisms. The process in planning stage included a) analyzing needs of class VII students and b) analyzing curriculum. The process in production stage included: a) arranging required learning materials map; b) deciding learning materials structures; c) making research instruments; d) compiling learning materials; e) validating research instruments and the learning materials; and f) revising the learning materials. The process in evaluation stage covered; a) the learning materials evaluation by teacher; and b) the learning materials evaluation by student. The results of the concept understanding test showed that there were no students who belonged to the very low criteria. Seen from their average scores, they were in good criteria. The results of the concept understanding test analysis based on interviews showed that students can explain each answer written, as for the indicators that have not been able to be fulfilled because students are not thorough and the teaching material developed is clear enough and can be understood by students.