Purbalingga – The Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized a community service program in Purbalingga Regency in the form of a seminar and training entitled “Enhancing the Competence of MGMP Mathematics Teachers of SMA/MA in Purbalingga Regency through Training on Mathematical Applications for Learning Data Processing.” The activity was held on September 1, 2025 at SMA Negeri 1 Bobotsari, Purbalingga, and was attended by mathematics teachers who are members of the Mathematics Subject Teacher Working Group (MGMP) of SMA/MA throughout Purbalingga. This program is part of the Department of Mathematics’ ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of educators in utilizing technology and mathematical applications to support classroom learning.
The event was officially opened by representatives from the host school and the UGM Mathematics Department team. The opening session highlighted the importance of improving digital literacy and mastering data-processing applications for mathematics teachers, particularly in an educational era that emphasizes continuous assessment. Although the national situation in the days leading up to the event was marked by demonstrations in various regions, effective coordination between the UGM team and the local MGMP ensured that the program could proceed safely, orderly, and smoothly. Participants showed strong enthusiasm, demonstrated by their full attendance and active engagement during discussions and hands-on sessions.
The main content of the program consisted of presentations and practical workshops. The overarching theme focused on the use of Microsoft Excel for learning data processing and the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support innovation in mathematics teaching. During the Microsoft Excel session, teachers practiced managing student score data more systematically—from inputting scores from quizzes, assignments, exams, and remedial activities, to processing them using basic formulas and logical functions, utilizing sorting and filtering features, and automatically generating score recaps by class and subject. Through guided assistance, features that previously seemed complex became easier to understand, as explanations were connected to real cases commonly encountered by teachers, such as calculating final scores, determining mastery criteria, and compiling report summaries.
The next session introduced the use of AI in mathematics learning. The UGM team explained the fundamental concepts of AI and demonstrated how such technology can serve as a supportive tool for teachers—for example, by generating varied practice problems with different difficulty levels, providing ideas for more interactive learning activities, and helping analyze students’ error patterns to design more targeted remedial programs. The discussion emphasized that AI is not intended to replace teachers but to act as a partner that can streamline routine tasks and allow teachers to focus more on student mentoring and character development.
The program aimed to address several practical challenges faced by teachers. Many teachers still manage student scores manually, which is time-consuming and prone to calculation errors. Through the Excel training, participants were introduced to templates and work formats that can automate much of the process, resulting in more efficient and accurate data management. At the same time, the use of technology in learning data processing is still relatively limited in some schools; thus, this training served as an opportunity to broaden teachers’ digital skills. The limited availability of information and practical examples of AI use in mathematics education also became a key issue, addressed through the AI introduction session with examples relevant to classroom needs.
From an institutional perspective, this program also served as a platform to strengthen collaboration between the Department of Mathematics, FMIPA UGM, and the MGMP Mathematics Teachers of SMA/MA in Purbalingga Regency. The meeting generated various follow-up ideas, ranging from continued assistance on Excel templates in schools to future collaborative initiatives aimed at developing digital and AI-based mathematics learning materials. Participants left the event with data-processing templates, introductory AI materials, and shared learning experiences that they are expected to apply in their respective classrooms.
Through this community service program in Purbalingga, the Department of Mathematics, FMIPA UGM hopes that the university’s contribution to improving the quality of education in the region can be increasingly felt, especially in strengthening teachers’ capacity as the front line of education. Moving forward, similar activities are expected to be expanded to other districts and cities, so that the positive impact of enhanced digital and pedagogical competencies among mathematics teachers can reach more educational institutions across Indonesia.
Keywords: Community Service, Purbalingga, MGMP Mathematics, Microsoft Excel, Artificial Intelligence, Teacher Digital Literacy
Author: Daffa Elgo Santosa
Photo: I Made Telaga Dwiraditya