Developing Critical Thinking through Activity –Based and Cooperative Learning Approach in Teaching High School Chemistry

Abstract

Abstract-The study aimed to develop critical thinking in chemistry using the Third International Mathematics and Science Survey Questionnaire (TIMSS-Like Test Items) and to lessen or eradicate misconception of students in the scientific concepts. A total of 99 third year Muslim students were selected and grouped into experimental and control group based on their respective section assignment. The experimental group underwent treatment using activity-based learning in a cooperative learning environment, while the control group used only the chalk and board discussions without hands-on. Three instruments were used namely: activities lifted from the TIMSS-R manual, the TIMSS-Like test items, and the selfassessment questionnaire. Both groups are exposed to pre-test and post-test after the conduct of the study. Findings revealed that the experimental group performed better than the control group. Majority of the students in the experimental group realized that the treatment motivated them to think critically. Through hands-on their misconceptions was corrected and lessened. Moreover, they also realized that the activity -based technique in the teaching -learning process is interesting, more fun and encouraging.

Academic achievement with cooperative learning using homogeneous and heterogeneous groups

“…Both groups, however, made significant gains; however, indicating the grouping did not have a significant impact on the difference in posttest scores for the two groups. This finding supports the majority of research on cooperative learning being a viable teaching strategy (Baer, 2003; Igel & Urquhart, 2012; Smith et al., 2014; Valdez et al., 2015; Vega & Hederich, 2015; Zakaria et al., 2013; Zamani, 2016). This research, however, contradicts the findings from Baer (2003),Van der Smith and Spindle (2007), and Zamani (2016) that all found that grouping techniques did make a significant impact on student achievement.…”

The Development of PBL-Based Worksheets Integrated with Green Chemistry and Ethnoscience to Improve Students’ Thinking Skills

“…The students acquired inductive/deductive reasoning skills, analyzed, synthesized, rated information, and interpreted during the problem-solving process. In line with this, Valdez et al (2015) also concluded in his research that learning by constructing previous knowledge experiences, exploratively, and interactively could develop students' critical thinking skills.…”

Untitled

“…Hal ini diperkuat oleh penelitian sebelumnya yang mengembangkan keterampilan berpikir kritis dan kreatif dengan pembelajaran yang terfokus pada mahasiswa. Valdez et al, (2015) menyatakan bahwa pembelajaran kooperatif dan berbasis aktivitas pada pembelajaran kimia mampu meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kritis. Sementara itu, Yoon et al, (2014) menyatakan bahwa pembelajaran berbasis masalah pada topik penanganan terhadap air yang terkontaminasi asam basa mampu meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kreatif mahasiswa.…”