Connecting Cultures with Mathematics

A Study on Incorporating Indigenous Papuan Cultural Contexts to Mitigate Errors in Solving Math Word Problems

Bibliographic Data

ID3666242
AuthorsMurni Sianturi (0000-0002-2898-7084, The University of New South Wales, corresponding author), Riska Suliantin (Muhammadiah Junior High School), Iwan A J Sianturi (0000-0003-0770-9349, Indiana University)
Year2025
Volume46
Issue5
Pages1-25
Publication date2025-01-28
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Intercultural Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0725-6868 • E-ISSN: 1469-9540
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/07256868.2024.2440467
OpenAlexW4406918497
LanguageEN
References cited39

Research has shown that Indigenous students often perform poorly in traditional math classes because the Western approach to mathematics is often not aligned with their cultural ways of learning and problem-solving. This study examined the Indigenous West Papuan students’ cognitive styles and their errors in solving math word problems and identified how Indigenous cultural contexts could help Papuan students solve math word problems and mitigate errors. Although findings showed the prevalence of field dependent style among Indigenous West Papuan students, which is related to some Indigenous ways of learning – e.g. organizes information with whole patterns, delights in learning material with social content, and prefers to work in a group – , it is important to understand that individual experiences and various factors could affect learning outcomes beyond cognitive styles. Instead of trying to change student characteristics, it might be more effective to implement culturally responsive curricula and teaching practices that respect the cultural backgrounds of Indigenous students. The study also found that incorporating Indigenous cultural contexts in the design of math problems helped students solve math word problems more accurately and might help address some of the educational barriers faced by West Papuan students

Biology · Indigenous · Linguistics · Mathematics education · Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills · Education and Critical Thinking Development · Mathematics · Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques · Philosophy

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