Developing Critical Thinking of Grade 10 Students through Inquiry-Based STEM Learning

Peeradon Onsee,Prasart Nuangchalerm

doi:10.30870/jppi.v5i2.5486

Peeradon Onsee, Prasart Nuangchalerm

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.30870/jppi.v5i2.5486

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Abstract

Thematic approach in education is a way of holistic view in modern instructional practices. The 21 st century learning needs students have ability and necessary skills, especially thinking critically than content focused. This action research aims to enhance critical thinking and learning achievement of grade 10 students through inquiry-based STEM learning. Twenty first students were participated by who had mean score lower than 70 percent of critical thinking. The research instruments consisted of 6 lesson plans, 20 items of critical thinking test with 4-multiple choice, interviewing form in teaching and learning environments, and observation during lesson plans implementation. Data were gathered and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The result showed that students who learned through inquiry-based STEM learning can increase their critical thinking to meet the criterion. Qualitative data indicated that they need more improvement in the diversity of learning methods as well as STEM education. Suggestion needs students to design and criticize in their working assignment.

Highlights

Teaching and learning in a new era seems to be different, teachers and students need to aware of current information
Teachers make the pedagogical decision making to improve learning outcomes to reach the goals of education (Prachagool et al, 2016)
STEM education is an integration of 4 disciplines that teachers design lesson and learning environments engaging students to process of science

Summary

Introduction

Teaching and learning in a new era seems to be different, teachers and students need to aware of current information. Critical thinking helps students make their own question to phenomena, plan and design process to seek answer, searching for related information, think critically in the findings, conclude and make final decisions (Duran & Sendang, 2012). Critical thinking is the one of necessary learning skills for new youngers (Wartono et al, 2018). As the present in school, new curriculum allows learning activities to gain more experiences and thinking skills through thematic approaches.

Results

Conclusion