Batu Seremban-Based Malay Ethnomathematics in Deep Learning for Enhancing Mental Calculation Skills
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58764/j.im.2026.7.222Keywords:
mental calculation, malay ethnomathematics, Batu Seremban, deep learning, local wisdomAbstract
Mental calculation is an important part of numeracy competence because it relates to number understanding, strategy flexibility, and the ability to use number relationships in solving arithmetic operations. Learning that only emphasizes written algorithms can limit opportunities to explore diverse calculation strategies. This article aims to develop a conceptual study on the use of the Batu Seremban game as a Malay ethnomathematics context integrated with a deep learning approach to support mental calculation of elementary school students in Phase B on addition and subtraction. The study uses a conceptual literature review approach by synthesizing literature on ethnomathematics, traditional games, contextual mathematics learning, deep learning, number sense, and mental calculation. Five stones are given pedagogical values based on learning agreements, namely red=1, yellow=2, green=3, blue=4, and black=5. The conceptual synthesis shows that Batu Seremban activities can be used to facilitate combining, separating, decomposing, compensation, and inverse relationships between addition and subtraction. The integration of meaningful, mindful, and joyful learning principles has the potential to strengthen meaning and student engagement. This study produces a conceptual framework as a basis for developing learning tools rooted in local wisdom.
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