Practicality and effectiveness of SETS based learning materials to trained students’ higher-order thinking skills

Abstract

At present, there are no many environment-based learning activities with interesting practices that utilize technology and at the same time to train students with higher-order thinking skills. Therefore, a learning instrument is needed to implements these practices. This research aims to describe the practicality and effectiveness of SETS based learning materials for higher-level thinking skills of 1st grader of junior high school in Sciences subject, including (1) describing the implementation of learning, (2) describing student responses toward learning, and (3) describing higher-order thinking skills of students. Research methods used were observation method for learning realization, questionnaire method for student responses, and test method to determine learning achievement (pre-test and post-test). Research instruments used were observation sheets of learning realization, questionnaire sheet for student response, and sheets of the higher-order thinking skills test. Results of the research showed that (1) learning based on the SETS approach was conducted very well; (2) student responses toward learning are highly positive; and (3) higher-order thinking skills of students have increased after SETS-based learning materials have been applied. This is shows that SETS learning materials are stated to be practical and effective to be used in learning to trained higher-order thinking skills.