The Development of a Microbiology Digital Handout Based on an Experimental Research to Improve Critical Thinking Skills
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Abstract
The present study aimed to produce a valid, practical, and effective microbiology digital handout teaching material based on the results of an experimental research to improve students’ critical thinking skills. This research was carried out in two stages, i.e. laboratory experimental research and development research. The experimental research was carried out in the microbiology laboratory of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, State University of Malang, while the implementation of the teaching material was carried out in Agricultural Industry Technology Study Program of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tribhuwana Tunggadewi Malang. The development research adopted ADDIE learning model and employed 2 classes, i.e. control and experimental classes. Both classes used problem-based learning (PBL) model, and the digital handout was given to the experimental class only, not to the control. The results of this research indicate that there was a difference in improving critical thinking skills between the two classes. The skills were found higher in the experimental class than the control. The mean N-gain score of the control class was 59%, while the experimental class 85%. Based on the independent sample test, the sig. (2-tailed) value was 0.000 < 0.05, indicating that there was a difference between the experimental and the control classes. Therefore, the microbiology digital handout developed based on the results of an experimental research was found effective to improve students’ critical thinking skills.