Implementation of constructivism approach in physics learning on students' critical thinking ability of junior high school students

Abstract

The background of this study is the problem of education in pandemic of Covid 19 where the students should study from home. The students are tended to extra learn and they are asked to understand and comprehend the material deeply by themselves. One of learning approach that can solve their problem is by implementing constructivism approach, especially in physics learning. This study aims to analyze previous studies related to implementing constructivism approach in improving students' critical thinking ability and to obtain sources to develop physics learning module about constructivism approach for grade VIII. This research method is a meta-analysis with a sample of 10 articles in national and international journals. The data collection is done by collecting and classifying similar scientific articles and then analyzing them. The result of study shows that there are 8 out of articles used experimental research, and others used field research and classroom action research. Furthermore, there are 40% of articles show the effectiveness of constructivist approach to improve students' critical thinking ability in physics learning such as students can express their ideas by discussing with others students, they can make a conclusion after doing experiment activity, and they train to express their mind by debating. In conclusion, constructivism approach can improve students' critical thinking ability and it is needed developing beneficial physics module to get more improvement and to be a source in physics learning.