Influence of physics problem-solving ability through the project based learning towards vocational high school students’ learning outcomes

Abstract

Physics, an adaptive subject in SMK, is the basis and prerequisite for productive and applicable material, so it needs to be emphasized on problem solving approaches. This study aimed to determine the influence of learning methods based on the problem solving ability on learning outcomes. The intended learning outcomes are cognitive learning outcomes and the learning method used is project based learning. The type of research was quasi-experiment. The population in this study were the 10th grade students of SMK Negeri 5 Surakarta in the 2018/2019 academic year which consisted of 7 majors with 22 classes. The sample of this study were 2 classes from the Mechanical Engineering department, each of which amounted to 35 students. The instrument used in this study consist of 20 multiple choice questions and 5 essay question of the Physics problem solving abilities. Data were analysed using normality test, homogeneity test and hypothesis testing with analysis of variance techniques (ANOVA). Based on the results of the study it was found that the influence of the interaction between learning method and problem solving ability on cognitive learning outcomes showed sig 0.043 ≤ 0.05. It can thus be concluded that there was an influence of the interaction of the learning model with the problem solving ability with cognitive learning outcomes. Therefore project based learning methods can be used as an alternative for teachers in carrying out their learning to create an active learning atmosphere and enhance students’ ability to understand physics problems.