Evaluation of critical thinking skills of class x high school students on the material of Newton’s laws

Abstract

This study aims to determine of critical thinking skills of class X high school students in the material of Newton’s laws. The research subjects used 36 students consist of 18 males and 18 females with their average age 15 years old of class X at one of the high schools in Duri City. The research instrument used is the problem description which was constructed using indicators of critical thinking skills proposed by Ennis. Data analysis is based on the percentage of critical thinking skills. The results of total number of students, aspect of critical thinking skills providing simple explanations worth 49%, aspects of basic skills in making decisions, 39.5% of students were able to work on problems in skills Inference aspects worth 59.3%, aspects of advanced clarification skills worth 56.5%, and on aspects of strategy and tactic skills worth 57%. The results of these data indicate that students’ critical thinking skills are still low. The results of this study can provide teachers as an educator with information and illustration about the condition of students’ critical thinking skills. Teachers can make various efforts in improving students’ critical thinking skills in accordance with the demands of the curriculum in the 21st century.