The Effect of Outdoor Learning Method on Elementary Students’ Motivation and Achievement in Geometry

Abstract

Mastering mathematics in elementary school is essential for students because it provides the foundation to learn the subject at the secondary school and university levels. This study aimed to examine the effect of implementing the Outdoor Learning in Mathematics (OLM) method to increase elementary students' motivation and learning achievements in geometry. This study was carried out at one of the public elementary schools in Jember, East Java, Indonesia using an experimental research design. Participants were 54 grade 4 students consisting of class 4A and 4B, equally divided into the experimental and control groups, respectively. The experimental group was treated in the form of learning geometry topics using the OLM method, while the control group used conventional methods. Data were collected using questionnaires, observation, and tests. The obtained data were analysed using non-parametric statistics with SPSS software. The results showed that students' opinions were very positive and supported the application of the OLM method in elementary schools. In addition, the OLM method triggers the students’ motivation, as well as student learning achievements in geometry. Thus, it can be concluded that the Outdoor Learning method has a positive effect on elementary students’ motivation and learning achievement in geometry. From these results, it is necessary to conduct further researches involving a large number of participants, develop teacher modules, and incorporate the OLM method into the mathematics curriculum. It is hoped that students will like mathematics more, so that their motivation and learning achievements can be improved.