Student critical thinking skills and learning motivation in elementary students

Abstract

Critical thinking skills are 21st century life skills that are very necessary for life. The purpose of this study is to analyze the level of critical thinking skills of students, and how influential learning motivation is on students’ critical thinking skills. The research method used is mixed methods with explanatory sequential strategy. The sample of this study were students in grade V SD Jagalan. Data collection is done by the method of tests, interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of this study indicate that the critical thinking skills of students at SD Jagalan reach an average score of 67. Indicators of critical thinking skills from the highest to lowest values are interpretation, analysis, inference, and explanation. Based on the results a simple regression analysis shows the value of the correlation or relationship that is equal to 0.715. The influence of learning motivation on critical thinking skills is indicated by the coefficient of determination of 51.2%, while the rest is influenced by other variables. So, it can be concluded that there is an influence of learning motivation on critical thinking skills. The higher the motivation of students to learn, the higher their critical thinking skills.