Mangrove-based discovery learning with JAS-integrated electronic worksheets: Impact on students' critical thinking and science literacy

Muhammad Sarip, Suhartini Suhartini

Abstract


The development of students’ critical thinking skills and scientific literacy remains a major challenge in biology learning, particularly when learning is not connected to real-world contexts. This study aimed to analyze improvement in critical thinking and scientific literacy among Phase E high school students through the implementation of an electronic worksheet (e-worksheet), based on Discovery Learning (DL) and integrated with the Jelajah Alam Sekitar (JAS) approach, utilizing the local potential of the Baros mangrove ecosystem. This study employed a pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design. The participants consisted of 36 tenth-grade students selected through cluster random sampling. The instruments included an essay test to measure critical thinking skills and a multiple-choice test to assess scientific literacy, both of which were validated and deemed reliable. Data were analyzed using N-Gain to determine the level of improvement in each aspect. The results showed that all aspects of critical thinking skills improved, with N-Gain scores in the medium-to-high categories: interpretation (0.71), analysis (0.76), inference (0.71), evaluation (0.77), explanation (0.69), and self-regulation (0.59). Similarly, scientific literacy skills showed great improvement across all aspects, including context (0.72), competence (0.73), and knowledge (0.71). These findings indicate that integrating e-worksheets, DL, and the JAS approach effectively creates contextual, active, and meaningful learning experiences, thereby enhancing students’ critical thinking skills and scientific literacy. This study implies that integrating structured learning media with inquiry-based and environment-based approaches can support the development of higher-order thinking and scientific understanding

Keywords


Critical thinking; Discovery learning; Electronic worksheets; Jelajah Alam Sekitar (JAS) approach; Science literacy

Full Text:

PDF

References


Adams, R. J., & Khoo, S. T. (1996). ACER Quest Version 2.1. Camberwell, Victoria: The Australian Council for Educational Research.

Ahmadi, A. (2021). Meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa mata pelajaran IPA melalui pembelajaran dengan pendekatan Jelajah Alam Sekitar (JAS). Guru Tua: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 4(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.31970/gurutua.v4i1.64

Alamiah, S., & Marianti, A. (2016). Approaches, strategies, models, and methods of learning biology have a conservationist character. Semarang: FMIPA UNNES.

Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing: A revision of Bloom's Taxonomy of educational objectives. New York: Addison Wesley Longman.

Arianti, D., & Satlita, L. (2022). Collaborative governance in the development of Baros mangrove conservation in Tirtohargo Village, Kretek District, Bantul Regency. Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research, 3(6), 809–827. https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/natapraja/article/view/24252

Arikunto, S. (2018). Fundamentals of Educational Evaluation, 3rd Edition. Jakarta: Bumi Aksara

Bruner, J. S. (1966). Toward a theory of instruction. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Chan, M., Wong, S. L., & Lee, J. (2018). The impact of argumentation-based learning on students’ understanding of scientific concepts and critical thinking skills. International Journal of Science Education, 40(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2017.1397642

Constantinou, C. P., & Rybska, E. (2024). Design principles for integrating science practices with conceptual understanding. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 501. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03022-4

Darwati, E., Ubaidillah, M., Sahrir, D. C., & Pratama, A. O. S. (2023). Application of the environmental exploration approach (JAS) assisted by QR codes to increase scientific literacy. BIOSFER: Jurnal Tadris Biologi, 14(2), 245–260. https://doi.org/10.24042/biosfer.v14i2.18553

deBoer, G. E. (2020). Scientific literacy and the role of science education. In Handbook of research on science education (pp. 14–31). New York: Routledge.

Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and education. New York: Macmillan.

Dewi, F., Fortuna, D., & Sutarja, M. (2024). The development of e-worksheets is based on the local potential of the ecosystem to improve students’ science literacy. Journal of Natural Science Educational Research, 7(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.55719/jpb.v4i1.1183

Dwyer, C. P. (2023). An evaluative review of barriers to critical thinking in educational and real-world settings. Journal of Intelligence, 11(6), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11060105

Ennis, R. H. (2018). Critical thinking across the curriculum: A vision. New York: Routledge.

Facione, P. A. (2020). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Millbrae, CA: Insight Assessment.

Fadilah, M., Permanasari, A., Riandi, R., & Maryani, E. (2020). Analisis karakteristik kemampuan literasi sains konteks bencana gempa bumi mahasiswa pendidikan IPA pada domain pengetahuan prosedural dan epistemik. Jurnal IPA & Pembelajaran IPA, 4(1), 103–119. https://doi.org/10.24815/jipi.v4i1.16651

Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive–developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906–911. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.34.10.906

Gagné, R. M. (1985). The conditions of learning and theory of instruction (3rd ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

Hake, R. (1998). Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: a six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 67–74. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.18809

Hoffman, M. M. (2025). Guiding students to think critically about reproductive development and public conversations on sex and gender. Developmental Biology, 520, 239–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.09.012

Karimah, U., Sunarti, T., & Munasir, M. (2023). Digital era for quality education: Effectiveness of discovery learning with android to increase scientific literacy. IJORER: International Journal of Recent Educational Research, 4(6), 862–876. https://doi.org/10.46245/ijorer.v4i6.437

Kurniyanti, R., Martuti, N. K. T., & Alimah, S. (2019). The effectiveness of project-based learning ecosystems dioramas with Jelajah Alam Sekitar approach against students' critical thinking ability and creativity. Journal of Biology Education, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.15294/jbe.v8i3.27141

Kusniati, Y. (2022). Improving critical thinking and metacognitive skills through Discovery Learning model assisted by practicum for high school students. Biosphere: Journal of Biology Education, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.21009/biosferjpb.34481

Leung, K. Y. P. (2025). Investigating the impact of inquiry and talk strategies on critical thinking in Hong Kong secondary schools. Thinking Skills and Creativity, Vol 59 pp 102018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.102018

Moon, J. A. (2021). Reflection and employability: Reflection on learning and learning on reflection. New York: Routledge.

Muis, K. R., Chevrier, M., Denton, C. A., & Losenno, K. M. (2021). Epistemic emotions and epistemic cognition predict critical thinking about socio-scientific issues. Frontiers in Education, 6, 669908. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.669908

Mulyani, S., Marianti, A., Kartijono, N.E., Widianti, T., Saptono, S., Pukan, K.K., & Bintari, S.H. (2008). Jelajah Alam Sekitar (JAS): Pendekatan Pembelajaran Biologi. Semarang: Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNNES.

Muthalib, S. A. A., Napitupulu, N. D., Muslimin, Pasaribu, M., & Werdhiana, I. K. (2024). Discovery Learning-based worksheets as a tool for enhancing science process skills and environmental literacy in middle school students. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(11), 9054–9063. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i11.8562

National Research Council. (2012). A framework for K-12 science education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Ngabekti, S., Ridlo, P., Peniati, R., & Martanto. (2017). Meta-analysis of Jelajah Alam Sekitar (JAS) approach implementation in learning process. Indonesian Journal of Science Education (JPII), 6(1), 153–164. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v6i1.9604

Novita, M., Rusilowati, A., Susilo, S., & Marwoto, P. (2021). A meta-analysis of students' science literacy in Indonesia. UPEJ: UNNES Physics Education Journal, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.15294/upej.v10i3.55667

OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 results (Volume I): The state of learning and equity in education. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en

Orlich, D. C., Harder, R. J., Callahan, R. C., Trevisan, M. S., & Brown, A. H. (2010). Teaching strategies: A guide to effective instruction (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Osborne, J. (2023). Science, scientific literacy, and science education. In N. G. Lederman, D. L. Zeidler, & J. S. Lederman (Eds.), Handbook of research on science education (6th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Purwanto, N. (2009). Principles and techniques of teaching evaluation. Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.

Puspitasari, I. D., Suhardi, E., Putra, A. P., & Rachman, I. (2020). Enhancement of Student's Critical Thinking Skill through Science Context-based Inquiry Learning. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia (JPII), 9(1), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v9i1

Putra, S. H. J. (2021). Pendekatan Jelajah Alam Sekitar (JAS): Dampaknya terhadap Aktivitas dan Hasil Belajar Kognitif Siswa SMP. Journal of Natural Science and Integration, 4(2), 204–213. https://doi.org/10.24014/jnsi.v4i2.10030

Rahmadani, F., Setiadi, D., Yamin, M., & Kusmiyati, K. (2022). Analysis of the literacy ability of biological science students in class X at SMAN 1 Kuripan. Scientific Journal of the Education Profession, 7(4b), 2726–2731. https://doi.org/10.29303/jipp.v7i4b.1059

Rahman, M. H., Latif, S., & Saban, M. M. (2022). Implementasi model discovery learning untuk meningkatkan kemampuan literasi sains siswa kelas XI MAN 2 Halmahera Utara. JPF (Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika) FKIP UM Metro, 10(2), 259–270. https://doi.org/10.24127/jpf.v10i2.5660

Rahmawati, A. S., Hamidah, I., Samsudin, A., & Rochintaniawati, D. (2025). Review of relevant literature about critical thinking skills in a science perspective. Journal of Science Education Research, 11(5), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i5.9687

Sari, R. P. (2022). Development of critical thinking skills and epistemic understanding through inquiry-based science learning. Journal of Science Education and Learning, 12(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.20527/jp2s.v12i1.1347

Subali, B., Kumaidi, & Aminah, N., S. (2018). Development of a Confirmatory Assessment Model for Mastery of Scientific Methods in Science Subjects in Elementary Schools. Yogyakarta: UNY Press.

Sulaihah, Jayadinata, A. K., & Sunaengsih, C. (2024). Enhancing scientific literacy through guided discovery with SELWAN application in science learning. Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Indonesia, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.24815/jpsi.v12i1.35113

Wright, Benjamin D., & Masters, G. N. (1982). Rating Scale Snalysis: Rasch Measurement. In Journal of the American Statistical Association. Chicago: Mesa Press.

Yuliati, L. (2020). Strengthening science literacy and competence through inquiry-based and contextual learning. Indonesian Journal of Science Education, 8(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.26379/jpsi.v8i2.145

Zimmerman, B. J. (2020). Self-regulated learning: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Routledge.

Zikrullah, M., & Azhari, A. (2024). The critical thinking research trend in Indonesia's language education journals. Diction, 32(1), 107–128. https://doi.org/10.21831/diksi.v32i1.72070

Zohar, A., & Nemet, F. (2020). Fostering students' knowledge and argumentation skills through dilemmas in human genetics. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 39(1), 35–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.10008




DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/aijbe.v9i1.91513

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Web Analytics Made Easy - StatCounter View AIJBE Stats

Creative Commons License AIJBE is under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License