Reflective thinking skills: Techniques and monitoring aspects in realistic mathematics learning of elementary school students

Reflective thinking on techniques and monitoring aspects is essential in realistic mathematics learning involving solving complex problems. Understanding the reflective thinking skill in these two aspects is essential for choosing the proper learning method. The objectives of this study are twofold: 1) To describe the reflective thinking skill of the techniques aspect in realistic mathematics learning of elementary school students. 2) Exploring the reflective thinking skill of the monitoring aspect in realistic mathematics learning of elementary school students. This type of research is a qualitative case study. The subjects of this study were the 14 grade VI students at SD Muhammadiyah Alam Surya Mentari. Data collection was carried out by participatory observation, document analysis, and in-depth interviews. The data validity uses triangulation methods. Data analysis included reduction, presentation, and drawing of data conclusions. The results of the study showed: 1) In the aspects of techniques, high-skill students showed excellent reflective thinking skills as seen from the achievement of all indicators, moderate-skill students were quite good as seen from the achievement of all indicators but not optimal, while low-skill students are weak as seen from the achievement of only one indicator. 2) In the monitoring aspect, high-skill students have excellent reflective thinking skills, shown by the achievement of all indicators; moderate-skill students are weak, shown by the achievement of only one indicator; while low-ability students are poor, shown by the achievement of not a single indicator.