Critical Thinking and Activity Capabilities in Collaborative Learning Using Digital Media through Lesson Study in Zoology Subjects

Abstract

Vertebrate and animal development subjects are covered in Zoology courses in the University of Palangka Raya which is learned in third and fourth semester. These subjects differ in content. Vertebrate course covers animal structure, while animal development course is more about the process of development. Today"s learning demands is to develop a critical thinking and build social interaction among students. Collaborative learning incorporating digital media through Lesson Study (LS) was implemented to improve learning outcomes in both subjects. Collaborative learning demands students to be self-minded, cooperative, and able to reveal thoughts mutually to their classmates to be employed for the above-mentioned purpose. The implementation of collaborative learning through LS was done with four cycles of "Plan, Do, and See" in Vertebrate and Animal Development subjects. These aimed to enhance student"s activities and critical thinking capabilities. The studied result showed improvement of activities in problem analysis stage, discussion and delivery of discussion results for zoology courses according to implementation of collaborative learning through LS cycles. Critical thinking capability of students was detected better in both subjects, mainly in the capability of conclusion drawing and presenting discussion results from assignments which were conducted by the aid of digital media. Collaborative learning incorporating digital media through LS could enhance activities and critical thinking capabilities of students.

Development of a Multimedia Program to Promote Environmental Education of Zoology

“…Many experts on the field have declared that environmental education is in a state of on-going construction, and so its essence, theory, and practice must be found inside the interdisciplinary integration of the topic, the cult of attitude transformation, and critical thinking. Haryono et al (2017) made a strong attempt to this accomplish the aim, even considering that this explicit objective was not focused on environmental education, but to education in a general scope. A deeper study of an animal's taxonomy, habitat, and other distinctive features can be done through animal collections, such as the collection described by Hempel & Beck (2018).…”