Gender differences of mathematical critical thinking skills of secondary school students

Abstract

One of the competencies in the curriculum of 2013 is to develop creativity, curiosity, the ability to formulate questions to form critical thinking that is necessary for modern life and lifelong learning. It is therefore essential to create an instrument to measure students' mathematical critical thinking skills. This study aimed to describe of mathematical critical thinking skills of secondary school students in solving mathematical problems concerning gender based on developed instruments validated by four experts. Four students selected from 30 students of Year 9 in one of junior high school in Banda Aceh. The instruments used in this study are critical thinking skills and interview guidance. The results showed that the critical thinking skills of female students were slightly better than that of male students. The findings of this study imply that there is a gender difference in mathematical critical thinking skills and therefore it is required to develop instruments that enhance the critical thinking of both male and female students.