Empowering critical thinking skills with problem solving in higher education

Abstract

Critical thinking skills are a necessary aspect of 21st century skills. Based on Facione, critical thinking skills include aspects of interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation, and self regulation. The purpose of this study is to know the critical thinking skills of students with problem solving model in the scientific method course. The classroom-based action research was held in one of the science education programs in Central Java. Data sources are collected through portfolios, discussions and presentations and field observation records in the classroom. Student’s critical thinking skills were observed and analyzed. the result of the research shows with problem solving model of students’ critical thinking skill in interpreting, analyzing, concluding in very good category, and evaluating, explaining, and self-regulating in good category.