Development of Karo Culture-Based Problem-Based Learning Model Assisted by Information Technology to Improve Students' Collaborative Skills and Mathematical Problem-Solving

Abstract

Mathematics education in Indonesia faces major challenges in developing students' higher-order thinking skills, collaborative competence, and mathematical problem-solving abilities. PISA 2022 ranked Indonesia 72nd out of 79 countries, with only 18% of students reaching Level 2, far below the OECD average of 69%. This crisis is exacerbated by minimal use of local cultural contexts in instructional design and limited digital technology integration.

This study develops a Karo culture-based Problem Based Learning model assisted by information technology, called PBL-Sitelu, to improve high school students' collaboration and mathematical problem-solving. Using an R&D design with the ADDIE framework, expert validation was conducted through three-cycle Delphi technique. The research was carried out in North Sumatra high schools during the even semester of 2025/2026, involving mathematics students in the Karo cultural area through purposive sampling.

Data were collected via expert validation sheets, collaboration questionnaires, problem-solving tests, student response surveys, and observations. Validity was measured by expert agreement percentage; practicality by teacher implementation scores and student responses; effectiveness through T-tests (p<0.05). Results showed validity >80%, high practicality (score ≥3.5/4.0), and significant improvements in collaboration (61.4→82.7; p=0.001) and problem-solving (54.2→79.8; p=0.000), with student responses >85%. PBL-Sitelu is proven valid, practical, and effective for secondary mathematics education.