Analogy and critical thinking skills: Implementation learning strategy in biodiversity and environment topic

Abstract

Critical thinking skills can be developed using a learning strategy. Analogy strategy is one of the strategies designed for the passive students with low critical thinking skills. This study aimed to use analogy in biology learning especially in biodiversity and environment topics towards students' critical thinking learning. The study used an experimental pretest-posttest design and a control group design. The research was conducted in 2014. The sample was taken with simple random sampling with 120 students. The results showed that the average value of the pre-post test score of the experimental class was 51.8 and 64.76, while the average score of a pre-post test of the control class was 47.9 and 58.28. Based on the t-test results obtaining t-value of 2.67, the t-value was higher than t-table, which showed using an analogy in biology learning had an effect on students' critical thinking skills. This is related to the analogy learning process step that students can discuss in the learning process. The conclusion of this study was that analogy strategy had an effect for students' critical thinking skills.