Unila Community Service and Central Lampung Middle School Math MGMP: MathCityMap-Based Deep Learning Training
In an ongoing effort to transform mathematics learning into a more meaningful, interactive, and relevant experience for daily life, the Community Service Team (PkM) from Universitas Lampung (Unila) partnered with the Middle School Mathematics Teacher Subject Forum (MGMP) of Central Lampung Regency to hold an intensive two-day training workshop.
The workshop, titled “Development of Technology-Based MathCityMap Deep Learning Math Trail Activities to Enhance Middle School Teacher Competence in 2026”, took place on Tuesday–Wednesday, July 21–22, 2026, at SMPN 4 Terbanggi Besar. The event was designed to bridge abstract mathematical theory with the physical reality of the school environment through location-based technology.
Official Opening and Strategic Foundation
The event was officially opened by Mrs. Devira Santi, S.T., M.T., Head of Basic Education at the Department of Education and Culture of Central Lampung Regency. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the critical importance of technology adaptation at the junior high school level.
“Mathematics education can no longer remain trapped in rigid paper formulas. A deep learning approach combined with open-source technology like MathCityMap is a strategic step toward strengthening students’ reasoning and numeracy literacy in Central Lampung Regency,” she stated.
The training was attended by 50 middle school mathematics teachers from various active member schools across the Central Lampung Math MGMP network.
The Unila PkM Team facilitating the entire series of activities was led by Dr. Chika Rahayu, M.Pd., accompanied by experienced lecturers and facilitators:
- Hesti Noviyana, M.Pd.
- Fadil Firdian, M.Pd.T.
- Elora Theona br. Sibuea
- Jeova Jire
Urgency of Deep Learning and the MathCityMap Ecosystem
Why are Deep Learning and MathCityMap the primary focus?
Deep Learning in mathematics requires students not merely to memorize problem-solving algorithms, but to intuitively understand concepts, connect ideas, and apply them to real-world situations.
MathCityMap (MCM)—a global platform developed by Goethe University Frankfurt—serves as an ideal tool to achieve this objective. The platform combines the concept of math trails with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and gamification, turning the surrounding environment into an open-air mathematics laboratory.
Training Structure and Methodology
The training was structured around a Workshop & Field-Based Practice scheme divided into two primary stages:
Day One (Tuesday, July 21, 2026): Conceptualization & Portal Design
In the first session, participants acquired theoretical insights on designing tasks that fulfill higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) criteria.
Through the MathCityMap web portal, participants were trained to:
- Design Contextual Tasks (Task Design): Create math problems whose solutions require direct data collection from real objects (e.g., calculating staircase inclination, school monument volume, or tile patterns).
- Develop Tiered Hints and Solutions: Provide step-by-step guidance to foster independent student reasoning (scaffolding).
- Map Trails: Combine multiple tasks into one integrated exploration route (trail) with precise GPS coordinates.
Day Two (Wednesday, July 22, 2026): Field Simulation, Validation, and Evaluation
The second day focused on practical implementation and trail testing within the premises of SMPN 4 Terbanggi Besar.
Practical activities included:
- Object Measurement and Modeling: Teachers working in small teams conducted field explorations, measuring physical parameters of objects (such as angles, height, area, and volume) and crafting corresponding mathematical problems.
- App-Based Trail Simulation: Utilizing the MathCityMap mobile application to test GPS signal accuracy, instruction clarity, and automatic feedback mechanisms in real time.
- Peer Review & Problem Calibration: Reflective discussion among participants to ensure the tasks created were free of ambiguity and safe for student execution.
Closing and Future Outlook
The entire event was officially closed by the Chairman of the Central Lampung Middle School Math MGMP, Aan Triono, S.Pd.
In his closing address, Aan Triono, S.Pd. expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of the Unila PkM Team and the enthusiasm of all participants:
“May this collaboration continue and remain sustainable, enhancing the competence of mathematics teachers by implementing the MathCityMap application in their respective schools and compiling a regional math trail catalog accessible to all teachers and students.”
Conclusion
The synergy among university academics (Unila), the Department of Education, and the teacher community (MGMP) serves as an ideal model for accelerating regional education quality. Leveraging MathCityMap with a Deep Learning orientation proves to teachers that mathematics is not an isolated subject, but a living science that can be explored engagingly in our everyday surroundings.
