Empowering College Students’ Problem-Solving Skills through RICOSRE

Susriyati Mahanal,Fahrul Ghani Muhaimin,Hidayati Maghfiroh,Deny Setiawan,Siti Zubaidah

doi:10.3390/educsci12030196

Susriyati Mahanal, Fahrul Ghani Muhaimin + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12030196

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Journal: Education sciences	Publication Date: Mar 11, 2022
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: State University of Malang

Abstract

Problem-solving skills are advantageous when resolving complicated and multidimensional challenges. Problem-solving skills can be developed through active learning models that engage students in the learning process. One active learning model is RICOSRE. The main focus of RICOSRE is problem-solving activities in (1) reading; (2) identifying the problem; (3) constructing the solution; (4) solving the problem; (5) reviewing the solution; and (6) extending the solution. The purpose of this study was to assess the ongoing development of problem-solving skills of students with upper, middle, and lower academic abilities at the Department of Biology Education in a state university in Indonesia. This study employed a concurrent embedded mixed-methods design. The repeated-measures ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis for the quantitative data, and NVivo 12 was utilized to analyze the qualitative data. The participants’ problem-solving skills were determined by their responses to items on RICOSRE-integrated worksheets. The students’ responses were graded using a validated and reliable problem-solving rubric. The findings indicated that the students’ problem-solving skills improved consistently in the upper, middle, and lower academic groups that were taught by implementing RICOSRE.

Highlights

The findings of this study reveal that students in the upper, middle, and lower academic abilities groups had a considerable improvement in problem-solving skills between topics one until six. These findings demonstrate that the RICOSRE learning model can consistently assist students from diverse academic abilities backgrounds to resolve problems when integrated into asynchronized learning
The statistical analyses in this study indicate that the RICOSRE learning model can improve students’ problem-solving skills from the higher, middle, and lower academic groups
The findings of this study demonstrate that students enrolled in the Protista course could consistently enhance their problem-solving skills using the RICOSRE learning model

Summary

Introduction

Problem-solving skills are multifaceted mental activities involving cognitive skills [1] and affective and behavioral characteristics [2]. An effective problem-solving process is essential for a community’s survival and future success. A person’s daily life cannot be separated from increasingly complex problems, so problem-solving skills are needed to solve them [3]. Problem-solving skills enable students to overcome various obstacles in the workplace and other areas of life. Individuals’ ability to solve problems is tied to their reasoning skills [4]. The development of problem-solving skills should be associated with higher-order thinking skills that facilitate the creation of practical solutions

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Conclusion