How Students Learn Mathematical Modeling through a Financial Context

Abstract

Many prior studies were conducted related to designing learning activities using financial contexts. However, the context used is less interesting among students in learning mathematics in school. This study aims to design students' interest in learning to model using financial contexts. The financial context used is closely related to economic conditions in Indonesia, namely inflation and investment. The research design was chosen as the research methodology in this study and involved 39 senior high school students of class XI Science. Data collection consists of student worksheets, observations, and interviews. The results showed that the financial context triggers students' interest in learning mathematical modeling using financial contexts, most students use calculators and Ms. Excel as an aid in calculations on student worksheets. Some of them can follow each step in modeling-based learning.