Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices

Despite increasing emphasis on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in mathematics curricula, classroom implementation remains limited and inconsistent. This qualitative study explored HOTS implementation in mathematics education, aimed to (1) identify effective instructional strategies for fostering...

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Main Authors: Ega Gradini, Firmansyah B Firmansyah B, Julia Noviani, Khairatul Ulya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika (UNDIKMA) 2025-03-01
Series:Prisma Sains: Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu dan Pembelajaran Matematika dan IPA IKIP Mataram
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Online Access:https://e-journal.undikma.ac.id/index.php/prismasains/article/view/15099
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author Ega Gradini
Firmansyah B Firmansyah B
Julia Noviani
Khairatul Ulya
author_facet Ega Gradini
Firmansyah B Firmansyah B
Julia Noviani
Khairatul Ulya
author_sort Ega Gradini
collection DOAJ
description Despite increasing emphasis on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in mathematics curricula, classroom implementation remains limited and inconsistent. This qualitative study explored HOTS implementation in mathematics education, aimed to (1) identify effective instructional strategies for fostering HOTS, (2) examine teacher’ challenges, and (3) analyze classroom practices. The study involved 25 stratified junior high school mathematics teachers, with data collected over one academic year through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework.. The study highlights that an integrated instructional framework combining inquiry-based learning, collaborative practices, progressive learning support tailored to student needs, and technology significantly enhances higher-order thinking in mathematics. It demonstrates that aligning teacher beliefs, professional development, and systemic curricular support not only validates but also strengthens effective pedagogy for meeting the contemporary demands of critical thinking and problem-solving. Implementation is hindered by misalignment between curriculum goals and classroom realities, assessment practices, and theoretical professional development. Mathematics classrooms are progressively shifting toward critical problem-solving approaches, with teachers integrating analysis, evaluation, and creative tasks. Students demonstrate greater engagement with authentic tasks that connect to real-world contexts. These findings support the redesign of professional development programs and curriculum planning to enhance HOTS implementation in mathematics education.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2338-4530
2540-7899
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika (UNDIKMA)
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series Prisma Sains: Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu dan Pembelajaran Matematika dan IPA IKIP Mataram
spelling doaj-art-e611a27d30924f85aed7ca86337d13fd2025-08-20T03:29:18ZengUniversitas Pendidikan Mandalika (UNDIKMA)Prisma Sains: Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu dan Pembelajaran Matematika dan IPA IKIP Mataram2338-45302540-78992025-03-0113213516310.33394/j-ps.v13i2.150996567Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom PracticesEga Gradini0Firmansyah B Firmansyah B1Julia Noviani2Khairatul Ulya3Prodi Tadris Matematika, Fakultas Tarbiyah, IAIN TakengonUIN Alauddin MakassarIAIN TakengonCentre for Global Learning Coventry UniversityDespite increasing emphasis on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in mathematics curricula, classroom implementation remains limited and inconsistent. This qualitative study explored HOTS implementation in mathematics education, aimed to (1) identify effective instructional strategies for fostering HOTS, (2) examine teacher’ challenges, and (3) analyze classroom practices. The study involved 25 stratified junior high school mathematics teachers, with data collected over one academic year through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework.. The study highlights that an integrated instructional framework combining inquiry-based learning, collaborative practices, progressive learning support tailored to student needs, and technology significantly enhances higher-order thinking in mathematics. It demonstrates that aligning teacher beliefs, professional development, and systemic curricular support not only validates but also strengthens effective pedagogy for meeting the contemporary demands of critical thinking and problem-solving. Implementation is hindered by misalignment between curriculum goals and classroom realities, assessment practices, and theoretical professional development. Mathematics classrooms are progressively shifting toward critical problem-solving approaches, with teachers integrating analysis, evaluation, and creative tasks. Students demonstrate greater engagement with authentic tasks that connect to real-world contexts. These findings support the redesign of professional development programs and curriculum planning to enhance HOTS implementation in mathematics education.https://e-journal.undikma.ac.id/index.php/prismasains/article/view/15099higher-order thinking skillsinstuctional strategyhots practicemathematics educationhots challenges
spellingShingle Ega Gradini
Firmansyah B Firmansyah B
Julia Noviani
Khairatul Ulya
Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices
Prisma Sains: Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu dan Pembelajaran Matematika dan IPA IKIP Mataram
higher-order thinking skills
instuctional strategy
hots practice
mathematics education
hots challenges
title Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices
title_full Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices
title_fullStr Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices
title_full_unstemmed Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices
title_short Fostering Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education: Strategies, Challenges, and Classroom Practices
title_sort fostering higher order thinking skills in mathematics education strategies challenges and classroom practices
topic higher-order thinking skills
instuctional strategy
hots practice
mathematics education
hots challenges
url https://e-journal.undikma.ac.id/index.php/prismasains/article/view/15099
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