Critical Thinking Skills (CTS) and Rigid Object Rotation (ROR) Concept Mastery Through Multiple-Based Representation (MR) in Mechanics Learning Using GeoGebra Software

Abstract

This research examines critical thinking skills and concept mastery of the Rigid Object Rotation (ROR) in Mechanics learning in Physics education students. There are some computer programs in Mathematics learning used in Physics learning, e.g. GeoGebra. The subjects of this study were 21 students of third semester at one private university in Jakarta. This is a mixed method research with quantitative and qualitative triangulation. The data collection instruments were the tests results on the Rigid Object Rotation (ROR) multiple-based representation (MR) concept that corresponds to the concept of understanding by using revised Bloom’s taxonomy and California Critical Thinking Test (CCTT) to evaluate critical thinking skills and Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI) to measure students’ critical thinking attitudes. The results show that the average rate of pre-tests was 44.38 and the average rate of post-test was 68.14 with percentage of N-Gain of 42.5 % for the mastery of ROR concept which shows improvement. The results of multiple representations (MR) analysis on students’ worksheet (SW) using GeoGebra software for ROR were 61.7 % for verbal, 85.7 % for picture, 45.3 % for graph and 77.9 % for Mathematics which show considerable percentage. The results of the analysis on Critical Thinking Skills (CTS) was categorized as good as well as the improvement of ROR concept mastery using GeoGebra software was in good category.