Department of Mathematics Education, Yogyakarta State University
Abstract
Ministry of National Education has proclaimed the needs to develop Character Education in every educational level. In order to help better implementation of character education, the author proposes to focus the mathematics teaching and learning to produce excellent learner characters, i.e. learners which have: (1) self initiative, (2) critical, creative, and innovative thinking, and (3) wise and cautious. In addition to teaching mathematical content, the author suggests the mathematics teachers to use mathematician autobiography as a tool to realize the importance of those excellent characters, and use the classroom as a place for modeling those characters. In addition, the author suggests the use of cognitive conflict, puzzles and module system approach to develop the excellent learner characters.
Keywords: Cautious, Creative, Critical, Character, Excellent Learners, Innovative, Mathematics, Self Initiatives, Teaching and Learning Activities, Thinking, Wise
