Application of “what-if” learning strategy to improve students’ mathematical critical thinking skills in statistical method I subject

Abstract

The aim of this study was to improve students’ mathematical critical thinking skills through the application of “What-If” learning strategies. This research was motivated by the lack of critical thinking skills of students in the Statistical Method I subject. Critical thinking skills are very important to bring someone to think and work carefully, sorting out relevant information, solving problems, and doing tasks on a bigger scale. This research is a classroom action research consisting of two cycles. The subjects of this study were class IIA students of Mathematics Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Mahasaraswati University Denpasar as many as 16 students in academic year 2018/2019. Data collection techniques used was observation, interviews, and tests. This study used 2 data analysis techniques namely qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis uses models such as mathematical models and analyses that are carried out limited to data management techniques by performing descriptions. Quantitative data analysis measures the learning outcomes in the form of scores and percentages using a simple level of calculation such as average score and learning completeness percentage. The results of this study showed an improvement in students’ mathematical critical thinking skills from the first cycle to the second cycle. In the first cycle, the average score of students’ mathematical critical thinking skills was 71.125 with the learning completeness percentage only reached 62.5%. In the second cycle, the average score of students’ mathematical critical thinking skills increased significantly by 84.125 with the learning completeness percentage reached 87.5%. This study concluded that the application of “What-If” learning strategies can improve students’ mathematical critical thinking skills in the subject of Statistical Method I.