The Application of Thematic-Scientific Learning in Elementary Schools by Distance Learning to Build Higher Order Thinking Skills

Abstract

In entering the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 which is also known as the phenomenon of disruptive innovation, a learning process is needed that leads to the formation of high-order thinking skills (HOTS). Elementary school is the earliest formal education to provide a foundation for the next education. For this reason, HOTS-based learning is also needed in elementary schools. Following the demands of the refined 2013 curriculum, learning is given in a thematic form. This study is combining thematic learning with scientific learning to build higher-order thinking skills. Because currently it is still in a pandemic period, so the learning is carried out by distance learning. To support the learning, the communicative learning media are made that can be accessed by zoom meeting and lead to higher-order thinking. The media is made using power points, which be arranged according to sub-themes, that have been determined according to the curriculum based on the stages of scientific learning by paying attention to higher-order thinking processes. Also, an evaluation tool that leads to higher-order thinking is developed. From the trial results, scientific thematic learning can be carried out online with the help of power point media, with the result that more than 70% of students get a score of more than 70. By using the mean difference test, it is evident that there is a significant increase in the average value between pretest and posttest for 4 (four) subjects.The limitation of this learning is that not all students can actively participate in online discussions.