Analysis of interest and process skills in learning mathematics

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the comparison of students' skills and interests in mathematics subject matter, and the relationship between process skills and students' interest in mathematics lessons with circle material. This was quantitative research with associative and comparative types. The samples were 70 students of a State Junior High School and 70 students of a State Islamic Junior High School in Batanghari district, Jambi, Indonesia, established using the purposive sampling technique. The interest and process skill data were collected using a questionnaire which was validated.  The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially with paired sample t-test and Pearson correlation test. The result of this study showed that 1) there are differences in students' interest in mathematics between the two schools and 2) there is a relationship between process skills and students' interest in mathematics in the circle material for the two schools. It can be concluded that good process skills and a strong interest in learning mathematics will make students more successful in learning mathematics.