EFEKTIVITAS MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL) BERDIFERENSIASI PADA PEMBELAJARAN MATEMATIKA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN KOMUNIKASI DAN PEMAHAMAN SISWA SMK MUHAMMADIYAH 1 GRESIK

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the differentiated Problem Based Learning (PBL) model in improving mathematical communication skills and conceptual understanding among vocational high school students. The study is motivated by the low levels of student communication and comprehension, often caused by conventional teaching methods that fail to accommodate students' diverse learning needs. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design was employed, involving a single class from SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Gresik as the research subject. The instruments used included written tests, observations, and interviews. The findings indicate that the implementation of differentiated PBL significantly enhanced students’ communication skills—both oral and written—as well as their conceptual understanding in mathematics, as evidenced by high N-Gain scores across all student groups (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma). The teaching process was effective according to the PBL syntax implementation and improved post-test outcomes. These results suggest that the differentiated PBL model is effective in addressing the challenges of mathematics instruction in vocational schools and can serve as a reference for adaptive and innovative teaching models.