Improving polytechnic students’ high-order-thinking-skills through inquiry-based learning in mathematics classroom

Abstract

<span>Mathematics is one of the most emphasized subjects and has grown immensely to provide a strong base for programs in science, engineering and technology. Training students in this field will give them the opportunity to improve their high order thinking skills (HOTS). But the students’ HOTS level is at low stage due to the learning approaches employed in classrooms. As a result, the study aimed at looking into the effect of inquiry-based learning (IBL) in improving polytechnic students’ level of HOTS. Quasi-experimental design was used in this study involving two sampled National Diploma II classes. There were 73 students participated in this study (36 students for experimental group and 37 students for control group). HOTS questions and worksheets based on IBL are the instruments used for this study. At the α=0.05 (p=0.000) level of significance, the results of the independent-sample t-test revealed a significant difference between the mean post-test scores of the experimental group and the control group. Moreover, the students’ overall HOTS level was discovered to be (applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating) improving through this approach. In conclusion, IBL can have a positive effect on the HOTS of polytechnic students in mathematics classroom.</span>

Fostering students’ mathematical reasoning through a cooperative learning model

“…Consistent with the findings of previous studies, this study also established that exposing students to tasks requiring them to formulate and investigate conjectures, justify and validate algebraic statements and arguments, and apply or mathematise contextual problems into mathematical terms, significantly improved their understanding of quadratic equations and functions [3], [24], [45], [46]. Other researchers have also emphasized that teachers need to use the right instructional strategies to enable students to participate in activities that foster higher-order thinking [47], [48]. STAD is one of these instructional strategies that allows learners to engage deeply with mathematics while working together in a socially constructed classroom environment.…”

College Students’ Engagement in Mathematics in the Modern World: The Influential Role of Perceived Teaching Performance of Instructors and Critical Thinking Skills in a Blended Learning Environment

“…The overall high level of critical thinking skills among college students in Mathematics in the Modern World, with a mean score of 3.98, is corroborated by Pasani & Suryaningsih (2021), who reported satisfactory achievement levels in students' higher order thinking abilities in mathematics. Furthermore, the improvement in students' higher-order thinking skills, particularly in analyzing, evaluating, and creating, can be attributed to the efficacy of inquiry-based learning, as demonstrated by Abdurrahman et al (2021), highlighting its positive impact on student's critical thinking abilities in the mathematics classroom. Furthermore, among the three domains of engagement, behavioral engagement obtained a mean score of 4.13, or high.…”

Kompetensi Strategis Siswa SMP dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Matematika

“…Kompetensi Srategis dapat dikembangkan melalui kegiatan pemecahan masalah. Karena pemecahan masalah membutuhkan pemikiran kritis, kreatif, dan penerapan strategi tertentu untuk memahami situasi dan menemukan solusi (Abdurrahman et al, 2021). Kompetensi strategis pada kecakapan matematis disebut juga sebagai kecakapan siswa dalam pemecahan masalah (Adi et al, 2023).…”