Using the Schema Owned in Solving Problems through Assimilation and Accommodation

Schema has an important role in problem solving process because it determines an action towards problem solving. Problem solving involves two aspects namely the problem to be solved and the knowledge (schema) that is owned. This study was aimed at describing the use of owned schema in problem solving through assimilation and accommodation. The research subjects were students who had studied geometry. Data were collected through the provision of schema identification test, problem solving test, and interviews to two subjects. Based on the results and data analysis, it can be concluded that there were two cases of the use of schema in problem solving through assimilation and accommodation. They were: 1) the use of inappropriate and irreversible schema. In this case, the problem solving done by the subject was dominated by the assimilation process, and 2) the use of unsuitable and alterable schema. In this case, the subject did assimilation in problem solving. However, the subject realized that the inappropriate schema had been used in problem solving. So, the subject did the accommodation and could use the appropriate schema in problem solving. Keywords—Scheme; Problem Solving; Assimilation;