Problem-Based Learning-Based Electronic Teaching Materials: The Effect on the Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability of Junior High School Students

The teaching and learning process is very closely related to using teaching materials. The teaching materials used should be able to build the skills that exist in students, one of which is the ability to solve mathematical problems. However, until now, students' mathematical problem-solving skills are in the low group. Based on a survey conducted by PISA in 2022, the mathematical problem-solving ability of Indonesian students is still below the international level. This study analyses the influence of using Problem-Based Learning (PBL)-based electronic teaching materials on students' mathematical problem-solving skills. The research was conducted at SMPN 3 Sungai Raya and involved two groups, an experimental class using PBL-based electronic teaching materials and a control class using conventional learning methods. Data were obtained through pretest and posttest tests, which were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test because the data were not normally distributed based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. The results of the analysis showed that there was no significant difference in students' initial ability (pre-test) between the two groups, with a significance value of 0.616 (>0.05). However, after being given the treatment, there was a significant difference in the post-test (0,000 < 0,05) results, indicating that the PBL approach significantly improved the students' mathematical problem-solving ability. The gain score analysis also showed a significant difference between the experimental and control classes (0,000 < 0,05), which confirmed that PBL-based teaching materials were more effective in improving students' abilities than conventional methods.