Differences in Mathematical Connection and Conceptual Understanding Ability Between Students Taught by Using Problem-Based Learning and Direct Learning Model in SMP Negeri 1 Bilah Barat

This study aims to determine: (1) whether the mathematical connection ability of students in the application of problem-based learning is higher than direct learning, (2) whether the conceptual understanding ability of students in the application of problem-based learning is higher than direct learning, (3) active activities of students during the implementation of problem-based learning, (4) the level of ability of teachers to manage classes in the application of problem-based learning. This research is a quasi-experimental research. The population of this study is all students of class VIII SMP Negeri 1 Bilah Barat which consists of 4 parallel classes, while the sample in this study taken two classes of population. Inferential analysis of data is done by ANACOVA test. The results of this study indicate that: 1) students' mathematical connection ability in the application of problem-based learning is higher than direct learning. 2) students’ conceptual understanding ability in the application of problem-based learning is higher than direct learning. 3) the level of student's active activity during the application of problem-based learning meets ideal time tolerance, 4) the ability of the teacher to manage learning during problem-based learning gets into the criteria good enough. Keywords: Differences, Mathematical Connection Ability, Conceptual Understanding Ability, Problem-Based Learning, Direct Learning.