THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPATIAL SKILLS AMONG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Jawa Timur, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36085/mathumbedu.v13i1.9339Abstract
Many reports show that Junior High School students still face difficulties in spatial abilities, especially in geometry. Students often struggle with visualizing objects, interpreting 3D representations, and performing mental rotations. Learning that is still teacher-centered also limits students’ opportunities to explore and develop spatial reasoning. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model in developing students’ spatial abilities through a systematic literature review (SLR) approach. The review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines to ensure a transparent and comprehensive selection process. The study examined eight selected articles identified by Google Scholar, Garuda, and Academia. The analysis reveals that PBL effectively enhances middle school students’ spatial abilities in mathematics, particularly in visualization, mental rotation, and spatial reasoning. The model also strengthens critical, creative, and reflective thinking as essential 21st-century competencies. Furthermore, technology-assisted PBL such as SketchUp and differentiated facilitation based on cognitive styles further optimize learning outcomes. However, challenges remain in teacher readiness and access to digital media. The findings confirm that PBL is not only an effective instructional method but also a transformative pedagogical approach to cultivate spatial intelligence and problem-solving skills in mathematics education.
Keywords: Problem Based Learning, Spatial Ability, Mathematics Education, 21st-Century Skills, Systematic Literature Review
References
Ah, N. I., & Purnomo, E. (2025). IMPLEMENTASI PROBLEM BASED LEARNING MELALUI CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK. SIGMA, 11(1), 74-82.
Aini, N., Imamah, N., & Ningtyas, Y. (2020). Kemampuan Generalisasi Matematis Siswa Smp Kelas Viii Pada Materi Pola Bilangan. Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember, 5(1), 1–7.
Antunes, R., Aguiar, M. L., & Gaspar, P. D. (2023). A Dynamic STEM-Driven Approach through Mobile Robotics to Enhance Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Skills for Empowering Industry 4.0 Competencies. Technologies, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies11060170
Ayuwandari, G. (2019). Suparman,“Design of PBL Mathematics Student Worksheets To Improve Student Learning Creativity For Junior High School.” Int. J. Sci. Technol. Res, 8(12), 3958–3964.
Azzahra, R., Muryani, C., & Tjahjono, G. A. (2023). DEVELOPMENT OF GIS-BASED LEARNING MULTIMEDIA TO IMPROVE SPATIAL THINKING ABILITY OF SOCIAL STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL. GeoEco, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.20961/ge.v9i2.74371
Fathia, N. (2022). Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran PBL pada Google Classroom untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Spasial Matematika Kelas VIII. Jurnal Edukasi Matematika Dan Sains), 10(1).
Fatqurhohman, F., Murniasih, T. R., Anwar, R. B., & Halim, F. A. (2025). The Role of UbD in Developing Students’ Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills: A Literature Review. Review of Education, Science, and Technology, 1(1), 29–42.
Gök, G., & Boncukçu, G. (2023). The Effect of Problem-Based Learning on Middle School Students’ Environmental Literacy and Problem-Solving Skills. Journal of Science Learning, 6(4), 414–423.
Khoiriah, U., & Suryani, I. (2023). Pengembangan LKPD Berbasis Problem Based Learning Pada Materi Bangun Ruang Kelas V SD. Journal on Education, 6(1).
Liu, M., Shi, Y., Pan, Z., Li, C., Pan, X., & Lopez, F. (2021). Examining middle school teachers’ implementation of a technology-enriched problem-based learning program: Motivational factors, challenges, and strategies. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 53(3), 279–295.
Mardhatillah, P. S., Fauzi, K. A., & Saragih, S. (2022). Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Adobe Flash Menggunakan Model Thinking Aloud Pair Problem Solving untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Spasial dan Resiliensi Matematis. Jurnal Cendekia: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 6(1).
Marlina, E., & Azis, F. (2023). The Ethnomathematical Concept of Sundanese Local Wisdom through Building Space for the Earth Alit Kabuyutan West Java Site as the Development of Mathematics Learning Media. International Journal of Quantitative Research and Modeling, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.46336/ijqrm.v4i2.449
Moshinski, V., Pozniakovska, N., Mikluha, O., & Voitko, M. (2021). Modern education technologies: 21st century trends and challenges. SHS Web of Conferences, 104, 3009.
Mutiah, S., Anwar, M., & Yani, S. (2023). GEOMA (GEOMETRI MATEMATIKA) APPLICATION AS GEOGEBRA-BASED LEARNING MEDIA TO TRAIN SPATIAL ABILITY. AKSIOMA: Jurnal Program Studi Pendidikan Matematika, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.24127/ajpm.v12i3.7540
Mutohhari, F., Sutiman, S., Nurtanto, M., Kholifah, N., & Samsudin, A. (2021). Difficulties in Implementing 21st Century Skills Competence in Vocational Education Learning. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 10(4), 1229–1236.
Nurwijaya, S. (2022). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning Berbantuan Augmented Reality Terhadap Kemampuan Spasial Siswa. EQUALS: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Matematika, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.46918/equals.v5i2.1563
Permata, S. A. I., Sunarno, W., & Harlita, H. (2022). The effect of the problem based learning and double loop problem solving learning models on problem solving ability in term of creative thinking on environmental pollution material. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 8(6), 2647–2653.
Pitriyani, P., Sundayana, R., & Maryati, I. (2024). Efektivitas Model Problem-Based Learning terhadap Kemampuan Spasial Matematis Siswa. Plusminus: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 4(2), 347–356.
Rabattu, P. Y., Debarnot, U., & Hoyek, N. (2023). Exploring the impact of interactive movement-based anatomy learning in real classroom setting among kinesiology students. Anatomical Sciences Education, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.2172
Rahayu, P. S., Handoyo, B., & Purwito, H. (2021). Penerapan pendekatan saintifik dilengkapi LKS pada mata pelajaran Geografi untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir analitis siswa kelas XI IPS 2 SMAN 8 Malang. Jurnal Integrasi Dan Harmoni Inovatif Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 1(3), 336–349.
Rangkuti, R. K., & Juniati, D. (2022). Profile of MTs Students’ Spatial Reasoning in Solving Contextual Problems Based on Mathematical Ability. International Journal of Humanities Education and Social Sciences (Ijhess), 1(6).
Safira, E. D. (2023). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Project Based Learning Disertai Infografis Terhadap Critical Spatial Thinking Peserta Didik Kelas X SMA Negeri 1 Sukoharjo Tahun Ajaran 2022/2023.
Salamah, S., Nurhayati, E., & Rustina, R. (2025). IMPLEMENTASI MODEL PBL BERBANTUAN SKETCHUP UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN SPASIAL PESERTA DIDIK KELAS VII. JP2M (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Matematika), 11(2), 1507–1515.
Silviariza, W. Y., Sumarmi, Utaya, S., Bachri, S., & Handoyo, B. (2023). Development of Evaluation Instruments to Measure the Quality of Spatial Problem Based Learning (SPBL): CIPP Framework. In International Journal of Instruction (Vol. 16, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2023.16223a
Soniawati, S. (2022). Analisis Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Siswa Kelas VII SMP Negeri 4 Cibinong Materi Bentuk Aljabar Dengan Problem Based Learning. JPMI (Jurnal Pembelajaran Matematika Inovatif), 5(5), 1341–1350.
Syahbudin, F., Priatna, N., & Yulianti, K. (2024). Analyzing Cognitive Styles and Spatial Abilities in Geometry Transformations through the Problem-Based Learning Approach. Jurnal Pendidikan Progresif, 14(3), 2130–2144.
Uworwabayeho, A. (2022). Enhancing upper secondary learners’ problem-solving abilities using problem-based learning in mathematics. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(8), 235–252.
Vanzal, T., & Dwiningsih, K. (2023). Effectiveness of Android-Based Mobile Learning (M-Learning) on Molecular Shape Sub-Materials to Improve Students’ Visual-Spatial Intelligence. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(9). https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i9.4738
Yang, Y., Conde Santiago, S., Lasc, D., Hershkovich, A., & Grove, L. (2023). Informal STEM learning: Examples from everyday spatial behaviors. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1117771
