Development of Student Worksheets Based on the Problem-Based Learning Model to Improve Students' Critical Thinking Skills in Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) Learning in Elementary Schools

Abstract

This research is motivated by the low critical thinking skills of students in Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) learning in elementary schools, as well as the use of teaching materials that have not been optimally developed to support these skills. This study uses the Research and Development (R&D) method with the 4D (Four-D) development model, which consists of Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The subjects of this study were fifth-grade elementary school students. Data collection techniques utilized test and non-test methods, while data analysis techniques employed qualitative and quantitative analysis. The objectives of this study are to: (1) develop Student Worksheets (LKPD) based on the Problem-Based Learning model to improve the critical thinking skills of elementary school students, (2) determine the feasibility of the Problem-Based Learning model-based Student Worksheets (LKPD), (3) determine the improvement in critical thinking skills through the use of the Problem-Based Learning model-based LKPD, and (4) determine the practicality of the Problem-Based Learning model-based LKPD based on student responses. The results showed that the developed LKPD achieved a "Highly Feasible" category with an average percentage of 90%. The developed Problem-Based Learning model-based LKPD was also effective in improving students' critical thinking skills, obtaining an N-Gain score of 0.8654 or 86.54% in the "High" category. Furthermore, student responses to the Problem-Based Learning model-based LKPD obtained an average percentage of 99% in the "Highly Practical" category.