Jurnal Pemikiran dan Pengembangan Sekolah Dasar (JP2SD)
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026): September 2026

The effect of ethnomathematics learning through the galah asin traditional game on fourth-grade students' mathematical problem-solving ability

Sri Waty Sitinjak (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)
Supriadi (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of ethnomathematics-based learning through the traditional Galah Asin game on students’ mathematical problem-solving ability in geometry, focusing on rectangles and relationships between lines (parallel and perpendicular), including area, perimeter, and partitioning of plane figures. The study employed a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental method using a nonequivalent control group design. The participants were fourth-grade students from a public elementary school in Serang City, divided into an experimental class and a control class, each consisting of 41 students. The experimental class received ethnomathematics-based instruction through the Galah Asin game, while the control class received conventional instruction. The research instrument was an essay-based mathematical problem-solving test developed according to Polya’s problem-solving stages. Data were collected through pretest and posttest and analyzed descriptively and inferentially using an independent samples t-test, normalized gain (N-Gain), and Cohen’s d effect size. The pretest results indicated no significant difference in initial ability between the experimental and control classes (t = −0.711; p = 0.479), whereas the posttest results showed a significant difference (t = −17.755; p < 0.001). The experimental class achieved an average N-Gain of 0.71 (high category), while the control class obtained 0.39 (moderate category). The Cohen’s d value of 3.92 indicates a very large effect. These findings imply that integrating ethnomathematics through traditional games is a viable strategy for teaching geometry to enhance problem-solving ability, as it helps students understand concepts of area, perimeter, and relationships between parallel and perpendicular lines through meaningful real-life contexts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jp2sd

Publisher

Subject

Education

Description

JP2SD (Jurnal Pemikiran dan Pengembangan Sekolah Dasar) is a journal of Elementary School Teacher Education Department, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Muhammadiyah Malang. The scope of its journal is an elementary school, education, innovation of learning, learning methods ...