Proceeding of International Conference On Research, Implementation And Education Of Mathematics And Sciences 2014, Yogyakarta State University, 18-20 May 2014 ME-375 STUDENTS’ ABILITY OF SMP TO SOLVE PROBLEMS MATHEMATICLLY CREATIVE THINKING Nila Kesumawati (nilakesumawati@yahoo.com) Universitas PGRI Palembang Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of SMP students to solve mathematically creative thinking problems. The research method is descriptive method. The participants of this research were 180 students in the Palembang. Methods of data collection using essay tests. The results showed that the ability of SMP students to solve mathematically creative thinking problems only 40,57 classified in low category. Keywords: the ability, the questions, the material fractions, mathematically creative thinking. INTRODUCTION The ability of creative thinking is important for students to understand mathematics concept and solving problems. It is emphasized in the guidelines for preparing mathematics lesson plans based on 2013 curriculum, the learning outcomes will be achieved through cognitive learning activities, among others: the mathematization ability, abstraction ability, deductive thinking, higher-order thinking (critical thinking, and creative thinking) (Kemendiknas, 2013: xvi). Creative thinking is a cognitive activity that is associated with sensitivity to issues, considering new information and ideas that are not usually with an open mind and be able to make some connections in solving the problems. Cognitive activities that can produce something or new ways in solving the problems that are also practical and useful. Siswono (2009) stated that creative thinking is a mental activity which is used to establish a person's ideas or the new ideas are fluent and flexible, in this case, or employ the correct ideas in solving mathematics problems or according to request. Meanwhile, according to Noer (2010: 4-5) creative thinking is a thinking process of the ideas of an issue or problem, playing with ideas or elements in mind and can be viewed as the product of the human thought or behavior. McGregor (2007), stated that creative thinking is a thinking that lead to the acquisition of new insights, new approaches, new perspectives, new ways of understanding or something. The thinking that lead to the acquisition of new insights, new perspectives can be seen from the way students complete the given problems. Originality refers to the problem-solving strategies that are unique. The originality does not have to be associated with the idea of a completely new, but based on the new students. When a student is able to find a solution to the problem for the first time, he discover something new, at least for himself (Mahmudi, 2010: 27). Based on the above explanation, it can be said that, each student must have a different creative potential. The problem is how to raise or develop the creative potential? One of the development of the creative potential is the significance of learning that can improve understanding, and understanding to underlay students' ability to transfer knowledge in solving problems. By solving non-routine problem-solving students will realize the usefulness of ME - 49 brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by Lumbung Pustaka UNY (UNY Repository)