Improving Critical Thinking Skills of Vocational School Students Using Problem-Based Learning

Abstract

This study aims to determine the differences in critical thinking skills between students who learn using the problem based learning model and STAD model. This research is a quantitative study with a quasi-experimental method. The population of this study is the X grade students of SMK Negeri 3 Surakarta in the academic year 2017/2018. Samples were obtained by using cluster random sampling technique consisting of two classes namely X PM 1 class as the experimental class with problem-based learning and X PM 3 class as the control class with STAD learning. The technique of collecting data uses a multiple choice test to determine students' critical thinking skills. Data Analysis is using MANOVA. The results of the study indicate that there is a significant influence between the learning model on critical thinking skills. The application of the problem-based learning model proved to be more able to improve students' critical thinking skills compared to the STAD learning model.