Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Critical Thinking Analysis of 13-14 Years Old Students On Lens Refraction Material
Critical Thinking Analysis of 13-14 Years Old Students On Lens Refraction Material
students are required to analyze arguments, thinking skills can be done using authentic
conclude using inductive or deductive assessment results.
reasoning, assess or evaluate, and decide or Learning critical thinking skills can be
solve problems (Melida et al., 2016). The carried out by educators using constructivist
critical thinking skill is part of higher-order learning strategies that can empower critical
thinking skills (Susana, 2015). Therefore, it thinking skills (Pratama & Prastyaningrum,
is essential for educators to improve the 2016). This thinking skill is closely related to
students’ cognitive skills. the learning demanded by the world of
Padmanabha (2018) claims that critical education, namely learning based on higher-
thinking can be described analytically based order thinking skills (Fitri et al., 2017). Sarwi
on rational discourse with careful and et al., (2012) explain the scope of critical
rigorous investigation and approach. Dewey thinking, namely: 1) understanding
in Thompson (2011) reveals that one of most arguments and believing in them, 2)
important skill for problem-solving, assessing arguments and believing in them,
investigation, and discovery is critical and 3) developing and defending arguments
thinking. According to Lestari (2014), with strong support and confidence.
when critical thinking is developed, a person Physics learning to understand the
tends to seek the truth, thinks divergent (open concept of refraction of the lens is still very
and tolerant of new ideas), analyzes problems low (Wahyuni, 2015). Besides, the students
well, thinks systematically, full of curiosity, cannot solve problems in the field of physics.
mature in thinking, and can think Therefore, teachers as educators are expected
independently. It means that critical thinking to facilitate the development of cognitive
skills are important and need to be nurtured abilities and critical thinking skills
from an early age, especially in elementary (Nurazizah et al., 2017). It is necessary to
schools. Thinking skills can be influenced by know how the critical thinking skills are
learning methods (Astalini, Kurniawan, & related to the concept of lens’s refraction in
Sumaryanti, 2018). Teachers are needed to science subjects in junior high school.
provide effective learning methods to foster Several relevant studies have been
students' thinking skills. conducted by several researchers related to
Physics learning is successful if the critical thinking skills (Whalen & Paez,
achievement of the learning objectives is 2020; Leest & Wolbers, 2020; Ramdhani et
satisfying. Formally, the objectives of al., 2020). These three studies discuss efforts
learning physics in integrated science do not to improve students' critical thinking skills
only emphasize cognitive aspects, but also through learning models. The results of this
the ability to solve physics problems research indicate that the scientific learning
(Nofitasari & Sihombing, 2017). Enabling model can improve students' critical thinking
students to think critically in solving physics skills.
problems is an expected outcome of science This research was conducted at SMPN 22
education (Rahayuni, 2016). Critical Jambi City. Usually, students' critical
thinking skills play an important role in thinking was only pursued through learning
analyzing thoughts, arguments, problems activities.
carefully based on the credibility of data and
information sources; trying to properly assess METHODS
thoughts, arguments, problems; able to This research employed a mixed research
logically solve problems in various situations method by combining quantitative and
and make decisions based on consideration qualitative research approaches.
of relevant evidence and facts. Ritdamaya et The population of this research were
al., (2016) explain that individual's critical students of SMPN 22 Jambi City, while the
research subjects were the 13-14 years old
Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-BiRuNi, 10 (1) (2021) 149-157 151
students. The subject was determined by the The interview with the teachers was used
quota sampling technique (Hermawan & to strengthen the results of quantitative
Yusran, 2017). The quota sampling analysis. The critical thinking indicators in
technique was carried out on the basis of the the description test can be seen in Table 1
number or quota determined by the Table 1. Critical Thinking Indicators of the
researcher (Nasrudin, 2019). Therefore, the Description Test
selected research subjects consisted of 58
Variable Indicators No.
students. The subjects of this research were
Provide a basic 1&2
the eighth-grade students of SMPN 22 Jambi Critical explanation
City in the even semester of the 2019/2020 Thinking Provide basic 3&4
academic year.
supports
This research uses two instruments: the
Inference 5&6
quantitative research instruments and the
advanced 7&8
qualitative research instruments. For the clarification
quantitative approach, the instrument used
Strategy and tactics 9 & 10
was a description test with a total of 10
questions. The critical thinking test requires
students to compile and state their answers in The data analysis technique used was the
their own words (Ozkan & Ozaslan, 2018). descriptive statistics. The data analysis
The test’s description was adopted from the technique was carried out with an
research by Pradana et al., (2017) explanatory research design. The quantitative
regarding the development of tests of critical data or the test’s results were analyzed using
thinking skills in optical geometry material. SPSS 21 version. Then, the quantitative
The qualitative approach instruments were results were strengthened by the narrative
teacher and student interview sheets with six from the interview results. Explanatory
questions for the teacher and five questions design analysis technique is research that
for students. The interviews were conducted prioritizes quantitative data analysis
to add information from research subjects followed by strengthening the results of
related to how were active the students in the quantitative data analysis using quantitative
learning process. The interview questions for data analysis.
the teacher were as follows: Data analysis of students' critical thinking
1. During the learning process, are the skills was performed based on interval
students active in asking questions? calculations of a Likert scale with four
2. Before the teacher gives examples of options. The intervals and categories of
material in everyday life, can the critical thinking skills were adapted from
students give examples first? research by Lestari et al., (2020) that can be
3. During the first lesson where the seen in Table 2.
teacher presents a picture, can the
Table 2. Intervals and Categories of Critical Thinking
students explain part of the picture? Skills
4. At the end of the lesson, can the Interval Category
students conclude the learning?
1 – 1.5 Poor
5. Can students find solutions if there are 1.6 – 3 Low
problems related to everyday life to 3.1 – 4.5 High
solve? 4.6 – 6 Excellent
6. Do students always ask other friends
for their opinions if there is an answer
that is still in doubt?
152 Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-BiRuNi, 10 (1) (2021) 149-157
The flowchart of this research can be seen Table 3. The Description of Critical Thinking Skill on
in Figure 1. Providing Basic Explanation Indicator
Indicator Interval (%) N
Sum 58
Start 1,0 – 1,5 0 Mean 3,31
Provide a 1,6 – 3,0 8,6 Median 3,00
basic 3,1 – 4,5 51,7 mode 3
Observation explanation 4,6 – 6,0 39,7 Minimum 2
Maximum 4
St. Deviasi 0,627
Table 4 presents the results of critical Table 6. The Descriptive of Critical Thinking Skills
thinking skills for providing basic on Interference Indicator
explanation indicator. Of the 58 students, Indicator Interval (%)
8.6% or 5 students could provide poor basic
explanations, 51.7% or 30 students could Sum 58
provide good basic explanations, and the Mean 3,26
1,0 – 1,5 0
Median 3,00
remaining 39.7% or 23 students could 1,6 – 3,0 6.9
Inference mode 3
provide excellent basic explanations. On 3,1 – 4,5 60.3
Minimum 2
4,6 – 6,0 32.8
average, students could provide high basic Maximum 4
explanations for essay questions because the St. 0,579
average score was 3.31, the media value was Deviasi
3.00, the mode value was 3, the minimum Table 6 presents the results of the
value was 2, the maximum value was 4, and descriptive analysis for the inferencing
the standard deviation was 0.627. indicator of critical thinking skills. The
The second indicator is building basic students are expected to deduce the physics
skills. Building basic skills on the essay test questions. The results showed that 6.9% of
consisted of two questions. In building basic students had poor inference skills, 60.3% or
skills, the sub-indicators are expected to use 35 students had high inference skills, and the
the same procedure. The results of the remaining 32.8% or 19 students had excellent
descriptive analysis can see on Table 5. inference skills. The average value was 3.26,
Table 5. The Description of Critical Thinking Skills the median value was 3.00, the mode value
on Building Basic Skills Indicator was 3, the minimum value was 2, the
Indicator Interval (%) maximum score was 4, and the standard
deviation value was 0.579.
Sum 58 Critical thinking skills also have
1,0 – 1,5 1.7 Mean 3,59 indicators to provide advanced clarification.
1,6 – 3,0 1.7 Median 4,00
Basic
3,1 – 4,5 32.8 mode 4
This indicator consisted of two questions,
support namely questions number 7 and 8. The
4,6 – 6,0 63.8 Minimum 1
Maximum 4 students are expected to identify
St. Deviasi 0,622 assumptions.
Table 7. The Description of Critical Thinking Skills
The second indicator obtained that 1.7% on the Advanced Clarification Indicator
or 1 student who could build high basic skills, Indicator Interval (%) N
1.7% or 1 person could not build basic skills, Sum 58
32.8% or 19 students could build high basic 1,0 –1,5 0
Mean 3,88
skills, and the remaining 63.8% or 37 Advanced Median 3,00
1,6 –3,0 27.6
students could build excellent basic skills. clarificati mode 3
3,1 –4,5 56.9
on Minimum 2
The average value obtained was 3.59 which 4,6 –6,0 15.5
Maximum 4
belonged to the good category. The mean St. Deviasi 0,651
value was 3.59, the median value was 4.00,
the mode value was 4, the minimum score Table 7 shows that 27.6% or 16 students
was 1 and the maximum score was 4, and the were in the poor advanced clarification
standard deviation was 0.622. category, 56.9% or 33 were in the high
The third critical thinking indicator was advanced clarification category, and the
inferencing. This indicator consisted of two remaining 15.5% or 9 students were in the
questions, namely numbers 5 and 6. The excellent advanced clarification category.
critical thinking skills for the inferencing The average value was 3.88, the median
indicator can see on Table 6. value was3.00, the mode value was 3, the
154 Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-BiRuNi, 10 (1) (2021) 149-157
minimum value was 2, the maximum value Based on interviews with science subject
was 4, and the standard deviation value was teachers, the students were active to know
0.651. more about the material presented by the
The fifth indicator is strategy and tactics. teacher. Besides, the students could connect
This indicator consisted of two questions, daily activities or objects related to the
namely numbers 9 and 10. Strategies and material being taught. The students
tactics required the students to provide sometimes could provide conclusions related
innovation to the problems being tested. The to the benefits of the material in everyday
following are the results of the last indicator. life. The students communicated with their
peers or classmates to get more information
Table 8. The Description of Critical Thinking Skills
on the Strategy and Tactics Indicator on the material presented by the teacher. The
students were more active in increasing their
Indicator Interval (%) N
knowledge by not just waiting for input or
Sum 58
Mean 3,43 answers from the teacher. It was good for
1,0 –1,5 0 students to hone their critical thinking skills.
Strategy Median 3,00
1,6 –3,0 5.2
and
3,1 –4,5 46.6
mode 4 Setyawan et al., (2020) states that HOTS
tactics Minimum 2 are learning with various possibilities to
4,6 –6,0 48.2
Maximum 4
solve various problems in natural science. In
St. Deviasi 0,596
HOTS-based learning, there are four
components required: the critical thinking
In the strategies and tactics indicator,
skills, the creative thinking skills, the logical
5.2% or 3 students had poor strategy and
thinking skills, and the ability to provide
tactics, 46.6% or 27 people had high stategies
solutions (Ariyana & Pujiastuti, 2018).
and tactics, and the remaining 28 students or
Responding to the challenges of the 21 st-
48.2% had excellent strategies and tactics.
century, especially in integrating science
The average value was 3.43, the median
subjects, it is essential to develop critical
value was 3.00, the mode value was 4, the
thinking skills. According to Putri and
minimum value was 2, the maximum value
Ghufron (2019), critical thinking is an active
was 4, and the standard deviation value was
disciplinary process of conceptualizing,
0.596.
applying, analyzing, systemizing, and/or
The comparison of the average value of
evaluating information gathered from skilled
each indicator is illustrated in Figure 2.
observation or communication.
Critical thinking is essential for every
Strategy and tactics student to face 21st-century education. The
students are required to develop their skills.
advanced clarification Therefore, it is essential to improve students’
Interference skills in critical thinking, especially in
science subjects such as physics.
Basic Support The results of research on students' critical
Provide a basic… thinking skills at SMPN 22 Jambi City were
focused on their thinking abilities. In
2.8 3 3.2 3.4 3.6 3.8 4 analyzing the critical thinking skills, 10
description questions were administered.
Figure 2. The Comparison of Each Critical Thinking Each question contained critical thinking
Indicator
skills indicator. The first indicator is the
Based on Figure 2, advance clarification ability to provide basic explanations. In this
indicator is the dominant indicator mastered indicator, many students belonged to the high
by the students. category. The questions were story questions
that asked students to provide arguments for
Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-BiRuNi, 10 (1) (2021) 149-157 155
the problems contained in questions number known that the learning process was done
1 and 2. The average score of students’ through conventional learning where the
abilities to provide basic explanations was teacher explained, and the students took
3.31 from a maximum score of 6. The results notes and did practice questions. There were
indicated that the students already had the few opportunities for students to be active
ability to think critically. This result might be and provide arguments in ongoing learning.
caused by the learning environment at SMPN Research conducted by Leest and Wolbers
22 Jambi City which supports the students to (2020) analyze the critical thinking skills of
actively learn and improve their cognitive the university students in the Netherlands
abilities. related to the influence of the critical thinking
Another indicator tested was building skills in getting the chosen opportunity in a
basic skills. The questions contained images higher education major. Whalen et al., (2020)
where the students were asked to provide an conducted research on a large scope of
explanation. This indicator provided an critical thinking skills and was carried out on
overview of what happens to the image on the university students. Ramdani et al., (2020)
single description test. The score obtained show that the highest indicator is providing
was 3.59. The result indicated that the advanced clarification compared to other
students possessed a high skill building indicators of critical thinking skills. The
ability. researchers found similar results that the
The third indicator was inferencing. The skills to provide advanced clarification have
explanatory questions were presented in the the highest value compared to other
form of pictures where the students were indicators of critical thinking skills. Based on
asked to provide conclusions. This indicator the results of research, students with high
obtained an average score of 3.26 which critical thinking skills tend to be in high level
indicated that the students had high thinking processes or higher-other thinking
inferencing abilities. skills. This result is based on the students’
The fourth indicator was providing work on HOTS questions tested by the
advanced clarification. The average score researcher.
obtained in this indicator was 3.88.
Meanwhile, the fifth indicator was strategy CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
and tactics. The average score obtained in The average score for providing basic
this indicator was 3.43. The result indicated explanation was 3.31, building basic supports
that the students could use good calculations was 3.59, inferencing was 3.26, providing
for the questions given. advanced explanation was 3.88, and utilizing
Natural science is closer to science strategies and tactics was 3.41. Students’
learning and scientific thinking in science HOTS was high with the average scores in
subjects (Lehavi & Eylon, 2018). Five the 40-60 interval. Therefore, students’
questions were asked to students regarding critical thinking skills were sufficient, which
critical thinking skills whether science is affected students’ HOTS in science learning.
related to everyday life and whether in This research can be used as a reference
science learning, the students are active in for the world of education, especially science
asking questions to the teacher about the subjects so that students are accustomed to
material presented. Most of the students stating opinions in every lesson to improve
answered that they were interested in science their critical thinking skills. The results of
learning because science learning could be this research can be a reference for further
connected to everyday life. During the class, research, especially in the development of
they always prepare the questions they want teaching materials that can improve students'
to ask their teacher or classmates. Based on critical thinking skills.
the results of interviews with students, it was
156 Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika Al-BiRuNi, 10 (1) (2021) 149-157