ENHANCING STUDENTS^ CRITICAL THINKING AND COGNITIVE SKILLS THROUGH VIRTUAL MEDIA INTEGRATION Rifaul Annisa, Parlindungan Sinaga, Taufik Rahman
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Abstract
Blended learning that combines digital virtual media with face-to-face inquiry activities offers a promising approach to address students^ difficulties in understanding abstract astronomical concepts. This study investigated the effectiveness of a blended learning approach integrating Solar System Scope virtual simulation media, used both in classroom and at-home learning, with face-to-face KWL graphic organizer tasks and inquiry-based Mini Lab activities to enhance junior high school students^ critical thinking and cognitive abilities in solar system topics. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was employed involving 38 Grade VII students at a junior high school in Cimahi, Indonesia. Instruments consisting of 15 critical thinking items and 10 cognitive achievement items were validated using Rasch model analysis (Outfit MNSQ, ZSTD, and Point Measure Correlation criteria). Data were analyzed using normalized gain (N-Gain), paired sample t-test, and Pearson correlation via SPSS version 23. Results revealed moderate improvements in both cognitive ability (⟨-g⟩- = 0.39) and critical thinking (⟨-g⟩- = 0.31), with statistically significant pretest-posttest differences (p = 0.000) and a strong positive correlation between both variables (r = 0.602). These findings confirm that blended learning combining virtual simulation with hands-on inquiry effectively enhances students^ higher-order thinking skills in science education.
