Designing an ethnomathematics-based adaptive numeracy assessment model: Integrating the meda mazi cultural tradition in elementary mathematics education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58524/jasme.v6i4.1636Keywords:
Adaptive Assessment, Elementary Mathematics Education, Ethnomathematics, Meda Mazi, Numeracy AssessmentAbstract
Background: Conventional numeracy assessments often overlook students’ cultural experiences and diverse learning abilities, highlighting the need for culturally responsive assessment approaches in elementary mathematics education.
Aims: This study aims to design an ethnomathematics-based adaptive numeracy assessment model integrating the Meda Mazi cultural tradition to support contextual mathematical reasoning among elementary school students.
Method: A descriptive qualitative approach was employed through a literature review examining numeracy assessment, adaptive assessment principles, ethnomathematics, and Meda Mazi cultural practices. Data were analyzed through reduction, thematic categorization, and interpretative synthesis to formulate a conceptual assessment framework.
Results: The study produced a conceptual model comprising three difficulty levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Mathematical contexts derived from Meda Mazi activities included participant grouping, resource distribution, time allocation, and logistical planning. The proposed adaptive mechanism progressively adjusts task difficulty based on students’ responses while incorporating scaffolding to accommodate individual learning needs.
Conclusion: The proposed model offers a culturally contextualized framework for adaptive numeracy assessment that connects mathematical reasoning with local cultural practices. Further empirical investigation is necessary to establish its validity, practicality, and effectiveness in elementary mathematics education.
References
Alfageh, D. H., York, C. S., Hodge-Zickerman, A., & Xie, Y. (2024). Elementary teachers' use of adaptive diagnostic assessment to improve mathematics teaching and learning: A case study. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 19(1). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1417371
Alothman, A. A., Didden, R., & Ebrahim, M. T. (2026). Rule-based digital learning environments for autistic learners: A systematic review with narrative synthesis of characteristics, outcomes, and cultural adaptation. Journal of Disability Research, 5, Article 20260943. https://doi.org/10.57197/JDR-2026–0943
Bahar, A. K., & Maker, C. J. (2020). Culturally responsive assessments of mathematical skills and abilities: Development, field testing, and implementation. Journal of Advanced Academics, 31(3), 211-233. https://doi.org/10.1177/1932202X20906130
Bang, H. J., Li, L., & Flynn, K. (2023). Efficacy of an adaptive game-based math learning app to support personalized learning and improve early elementary school students' learning. Early Childhood Education Journal, 51(4), 717-732. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01332-3
Basid, A., Sutrisno, E., & Aliyeva, L. R. (2024). Analysis of the effect of contextual problem solving on students' mathematical reasoning ability. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 1(3), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.62951/ijsme.v1i3.258
Bennett, R. E. (2023). Toward a theory of socioculturally responsive assessment. Educational Assessment, 28(2), 83-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/10627197.2023.2202312
Burke, C. M. (2025). AI-assisted exam variant generation: A human-in-the-loop framework for automatic item creation. Education Sciences, 15(8), Article 1029. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15081029
de Freitas, E., & Sinclair, N. (2020). Measurement as relational, intensive and analogical: Towards a minor mathematics. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 59, Article 100796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2020.100796
Ferede, A. T., Ayele, M. A., Mihrka, A. A., & Arara, A. A. (2026). The impact of contextualized teaching and learning approach on students' conceptual understanding of trigonometry. Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 45(2), 161–180. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hraf008
González-Pérez, L. I., & Ramírez-Montoya, M. S. (2022). Components of Education 4.0 in 21st century skills frameworks: Systematic review. Sustainability, 14(3), Article 1493. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031493
Kabuye Batiibwe, M. S. (2024). The role of ethnomathematics in mathematics education: A literature review. Asian Journal for Mathematics Education, 3(4), 383–405. https://doi.org/10.1177/27527263241300400
Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi. (2022). Panduan pengembangan Profil Pelajar Pancasila. https://kurikulum.kemdikbud.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Panduan-Pengembangan-Profil-Pelajar-Pancasila.pdf
Mumu, J., Prahmana, R. C. I., & Tanujaya, B. (2026). Ethnomathematics in elementary education: A systematic review of pedagogical approaches, technological innovation, and global implementations. Jurnal Elemen, 12(2), 330-355. https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v12i2.34695
Musliana, R., Hulpiana, T., Putri, D., Awinda, S., Rahmania, L. A., & Nurmawanti, I. (2024). Etnomatematika historical building "Taman Mayura" dan implementasinya dalam pengembangan kemampuan numerasi siswa sekolah dasar. Plusminus: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 4(2), 199–214. https://doi.org/10.31980/plusminus.v4i2.5242
Natih, O. L. J., Astuti, N. K. W., Puspadewi, K. R., Atmaja, I. M. D., & Noviyanti, P. L. (2024). Respons siswa dalam menyelesaikan soal numerasi berorientasi etnomatematika budaya Bali. Jurnal Pembelajaran dan Pengembangan Matematika, 4(2).
Ndeot, F., Hartati, S., & Hapidin. (2026). Apps meet ancestry: A digital ethnomathematics play framework for preschool problem-solving. International Journal of Special Education, 41, 369.
Nilimaa, J. (2023). New examination approach for real-world creativity and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Trends in Higher Education, 2(3), 477–495. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu2030028
Ntumi, S., Adzifome, S. N., Nyamekye, T., & Vedor, F. K. (2026). Culturally responsive assessment in mathematical word problems and numerical cognition in multilingual education. Scientific Reports, 16(1), Article 5133. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-35864-0
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). PISA 2022 results (Volume I): The state of learning and equity in education. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en
Ramos Pando, C., Valentín Melgarejo, T. F., Zenteno Ruiz, F. A., Carhuachín Marcelo, A. I., Malpartida Lovatón, R., Albornoz Dávila, V. L., Espinoza Apolinario, U., Landaveri Martínez, R. A., Valentín Melgarejo, P. L., Guevara Vásquez, W. N., Aldana Taniguche, N. T., La Madrid Vivar, P. L., Bernaldo Faustino, L. K., & Alvarez Lopez, J. R. (2026). Instructor-personalized WolframAlpha-supported instruction for learning mathematical functions: A longitudinal quasi-experimental learning analytics study. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 10(10), Article 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti10100099
Rodríguez-Nieto, C. A., & Alsina, Á. (2022). Networking between ethnomathematics, STEAM education, and the globalized approach to analyze mathematical connections in daily practices. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11710
Shanmugam, K. S., Veloo, A., & Revindran, S. (2025). Indigenizing mathematics knowledge: A framework for culturally inclusive test for indigenous pupils. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.7275/pare.2072
Ukobizaba, F., Nizeyimana, G., & Mukuka, A. (2021). Assessment strategies for enhancing students' mathematical problem-solving skills: A review of literature. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(3). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1289246
Umbara, U., Wahyudin, W., & Prabawanto, S. (2021). Exploring ethnomathematics with ethnomodeling methodological approach: How does Cigugur indigenous people using calculations to determine good day to build houses. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(2), Article em1939. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/9673
Weigand, H.-G., Trgalova, J., & Tabach, M. (2024). Mathematics teaching, learning, and assessment in the digital age. ZDM - Mathematics Education, 56(4), 525-541. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-024-01612-9
Wildaniati, Y., Sa'dijah, C., Subanji, Sari Rufiana, I., & Gestiardi, R. (2026). Ethnomathematics-based project learning for developing critical thinking and creativity: A systematic literature review. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15595692.2026.2691025
Yeh, C., Ellis, M., & Mahmood, D. (2020). From the margin to the center: A framework for rehumanizing mathematics education for students with dis/abilities. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 58, Article 100758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2020.100758
Zhang, Y., Zhang, L., Zhang, H., & Wu, X. (2025). Development of a computerized adaptive assessment and learning system for mathematical ability based on cognitive diagnosis. Journal of Intelligence, 13(9), Article 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13090114
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Wilibaldus Bhoke, Melkior wewe, Maria Elisabeth Lewar

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.