Math education plays a crucial role in forming conceptual understanding of the surrounding world. One of the innovative methods in math education is Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), or Realistic Math Education (PMR) in Indonesia context. Developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s by the mathematician Hans Freudenthal, the RME focused on a mathematical teaching rooted in real situations. This method aims to make mathematics more relevant and easy to understand by the students by making everyday experience the basis for understanding mathematical concepts.

This article will discuss the basic principles of RME, the implementation stage, the benefits and challenges of its application, and the relevance of this approach to the current education system.

1. RME Basic Principle

RME is based on some major principles that make it different from traditional mathematical teaching methods:

1. Mathematics as Human ActivityIn RME, mathematics is seen as human activity that needs to be understood, not just tamed. This concept emphasizes the importance of student involvement in the process of mathematical discovery and exploration, so that students understand the basic concepts and their use.
2. Contextual StudiesThis principle emphasizes the importance of real context in learning. By connecting math with everyday life, students can see the relevance of mathematical concepts in the real world, which makes them more motivated and capable of understanding concepts better.
3. Modeling and RepresentationIn RME, modeling is an important part. Students are invited to model real situations in the form of mathematical representation. It can help them develop incremental thinking abilities.
4. Social and Reflection InteractionsThe interaction between students and teachers is considered important in this approach. Through discussion and reflection, students can deepen their understanding, as well as build mathematical communication skills.
5. Graduated Upgrade Process: RME prompts students to evolve gradually, from understanding concepts in real context to finally being able to understand them abstract. This approach follows a gradual path adjusted to the development of students' understanding.

According to Van den Heuvel@@

2. RME Implementation Page

The RME Implementation is generally done through some key stages that help students connect math to real-world situations. Here's the normal stage:

1. Contextual Orientation: In the early stages, the teacher introduced a real context or situation relevant to the mathematical concept to be learned. For example, for the concept of fractions, the teacher can use the story of sharing the cake among friends.
2. Individual Exploration and GroupStudents are then given a chance to explore problems independently or grouping, so they can think critically and find solutions based on the context they're given.
3. Mathematical model: Once students understand the context, they are asked to create an appropriate mathematical model. In the context of the cake division, for example, students can describe fractions through images or diagrams.
4. Discussions and ReflectionsTeachers and students had a discussion together to get into the solution they had discovered. Students are encouraged to tell about their thinking processes and listen to their friends' views, which help them hone critical and reflective thinking skills.
5. Abstraction Development: In the final stage, students are invited to the affirmation of concepts that have been studied in more formal forms. This stage marks a deeper and abstract understanding, where students can apply concepts without ever having to go back to the original context.

3. The benefit of RME Approach

The RME approach has some significant benefits in the process of learning mathematics, especially for students at the bottom and middle level.

• Motivation and Minat: With a relevant context, students feel that mathematics is not a concept far from their lives. When students can see direct connections between mathematics and the real world, they tend to be more motivated and interested in studying deeper.
• Better Conceptual understanding: RME helps students understand the mathematical concepts in depth, not just mechanics. By focusing on process of modeling and incremental abstraction, students are easier to understand the logic and mathematical principles behind every problem.
• Social Skills DevelopmentThrough interaction and discussion, students learn to express ideas, listen to other people, and develop mathematical communication skills. It also helps improve cooperation skills, which are important in professional and social life.
• Increase Critical Thinking AbilityBecause RME encouraged students to find their own solutions, they learned to think critical about solving problems. It's important in modern education, where analysis and reasoning skills are indispensable.

According to the research by Gravemeijer and Cobb, this approach has proven to improve a deeper mathematical understanding and critical thinking skills in students rather than traditional methods.

Four. Challenge in RME Applications

Although the RME has many advantages, its application also faces several challenges:

• Resource and Time limitations: RME requires a contextual resource that supports, as well as more time to discuss each stage in depth. In some schools that have limited time and resources, this can be an obstacle.
• Master skillsAn effective RME application requires a trained and able to relate math to the context of the real world. Not all teachers have this skill, so it takes additional training to support this approach.
• The difficulty of compiling Contextual Matter: Instructuring relevant and exciting contextual problems for students sometimes requires deep creativity and knowledge of the subject.
• Adaptation with a curriculum: RME may require curriculum adaptation, which could be a challenge to the school or educational institutions that have had strict standard curriculum.

5. RME RME elevation for Current Education

In the 21st century learning era, a contextual learning approach like RME was relevant. Students not only need to learn math as abstract science, but also as a tool to understand and solve problems in real life. With more powerful mathematical literature, students have better food to deal with global challenges, such as environmental, technology and economics problems.

RME also supports the development of 21st century competence, such as critical thinking, collaborative skills, and creativity. This competition is very important in the workforce that demands flexible and adaptive problem-solving capabilities. Thus, the implementation of RME in education becomes very relevant to prepare the young to face complex future challenges.

Conclusion

Realistic Approach Mathematics Education (RME) offers innovative and contextual methods in mathematical teaching. By basing learning on real experiences and encouraging self-exploration, the RME helps students develop a deeper and relevant understanding of mathematical concepts. Although there are challenges in application, such as the need for the resources and skills of the teacher, the benefit of the RME's learning motivation, conceptual understanding, and the development of social skills students makes it a valuable approach.

Source: Van den HeuvelThe Didacious Use of Modedes in Realistic Mathematics Education. Education Studies in Mathematics, 54 (1), 9-35.