The Effect of Deep Learning on Critical Thinking Skills of Grade VIII Students at UPT SMPN 2 Mangarabombang Takala
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v12i2.14740Published:
2026-02-25Downloads
Abstract
In today's era of digital transformation and global uncertainty, education is no longer simply about transferring knowledge, but rather about equipping students with 21st-century competencies. One of the most crucial competencies is critical thinking skills. This ability enables students to objectively analyze information, evaluate arguments, and formulate creative solutions to complex problems. This study aims to determine the effect of deep learning on the critical thinking skills of eighth-grade students at UPT SMPN 2 Mangarabombang Takalar. This study used a quantitative quasi-experimental method using a non-equivalent control group design. The study population included all eighth-grade students at UPT SMPN 2 Mangarabombang. A simple sampling technique was used, selecting 23 students from class VIII B as the experimental class with deep learning and 23 students from class VIII C as the control class with conventional learning. The instruments used included a learning activity observation sheet and a critical thinking skills test based on Robert Ennis's indicators. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The t-test results for critical thinking skills showed a significance value of 0.01, which is less than α = 0.05. The results of this study concluded that there was an influence of in-depth learning on the critical thinking skills of class VIII students at UPT SMPN 2 Mangarabombang Takalar.
Keywords:
Critical thinking Deep learning Learning activitiesReferences
Achmad, W. K. S., & Utami, U. (2023). High-Order Questions Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Elementary Schools. International Journal of Elementary Education, 7(2), 196–203. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijee.v7i2.61607
Adeniji, S. M., Baker, P., & Schmude, M. (2022). Structure of the Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) Model: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review of Research in Mathematics Education. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 18(6), em2119. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/12087
Altun, E., & Yildirim, N. (2023). What Does Critical Thinking Mean? Examination of Pre-Service Teachers’ Cognitive Structures and Definitions for Critical Thinking. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 49, 101367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101367
Andariana, A., Amaliah, R., & Triana, D. (2025). Unlocking Critical Thinking in Learners: RQA and Concept Maps Working Together. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(12), 1092–1097. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i12.9308
Barta, A., Fodor, L. A., Tamas, B., & Szamoskozi, I. (2022). The Development of Students Critical Thinking Abilities and Dispositions Through the Concept Mapping Learning Method – A Meta-Analysis. Educational Research Review, 37, 100481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100481
Bhardwaj, V., Zhang, S., Tan, Y. Q., & Pandey, V. (2025). Redefining Learning: Student-Centered Strategies for Academic and Personal Growth. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1518602. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1518602
Cristache, N., Croitoru, G., & Florea, N. V. (2025). The Influence of Knowledge Management on Innovation and Organizational Performance. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(5), 100793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100793
Fatmawaty, F. (2023). Students’ Reading Skills in Science Lessons in the Education 4.0 (E4.0). Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(3), 1542–1550. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i3.3269
Filho, W. L., Wu, Y.-C. J., Brandli, L. L., Avila, L. V., Azeiteiro, U. M., Caeiro, S., & Madruga, L. R. D. R. G. (2017). Identifying and Overcoming Obstacles to the Implementation of Sustainable Development at Universities. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 14(1), 93–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2017.1362007
Gerlich, M. (2025). AI Tools in Society: Impacts on Cognitive Offloading and the Future of Critical Thinking. Societies, 15(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15010006
Ginting, D., Woods, R. M., Barella, Y., Limanta, L. S., Madkur, A., & How, H. E. (2024). The Effects of Digital Storytelling on the Retention and Transferability of Student Knowledge. Sage Open, 14(3), 21582440241271267. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241271267
Gómez, D. L. J., Maestre, A. J. Á., Trujillo, A. E. P., Fuentes, C. A. P., Ortiz, D. H. B., & Alarcón, R. K. S. (2025). Determining Factors for the Development of Critical Thinking in Higher Education. Journal of Intelligence, 13(6), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13060059
González-Ceballos, I., Palma, M., Serra, J. M., & Esteban-Guitart, M. (2021). Meaningful Learning Experiences in Everyday Life During Pandemics. A Qualitative Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 670886. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.670886
Hazin, M., Rahmamawati, N. W. D., Yani, M. T., & Ladiqi, S. (2025). Empowering Elementary Students: A Model for Enhancing Literacy and Numeracy Skills to Overcome Learning Loss. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(1), 207–220. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.3937
Hennen, L., Kopfmüller, J., Maia, M., Nierling, L., & Scherz, C. (2023). Ways Towards Transformation—Conceptual Approaches and Challenges. Sustainability, 15(20), 14867. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014867
Hernández-Ramos, J., & Araya, R. (2025). Do School Activities Foster Creative Thinking? An Analysis of PISA Results. Education Sciences, 15(2), 133. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020133
Kim, J. Y., Choi, D. S., Sung, C.-S., & Park, J. Y. (2018). The Role of Problem Solving Ability on Innovative Behavior and Opportunity Recognition in University Students. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 4(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40852-018-0085-4
Kutluk, H., Jaworski, D., Zheng, H., Krajka, V., & Constantinou, I. (2025). Designed-to-Fail: Using Structured Failure in Laboratory Courses as a Tool for Nature of Science Education. Education Sciences, 15(9), 1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15091115
Lin, M., Liu, L. Y. J., & Pham, T. N. (2023). Towards Developing a Critical Learning Skills Framework for Master’s Students: Evidence from a UK University. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 48, 101267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101267
Lin, Y., Kadir, M. A. A., & Kaur, D. (2025). Preschool Educators’ Perceptions on Values Education. Education Sciences, 15(2), 140. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020140
Lowell, V. L., & Tagare, D. (2023). Authentic Learning and Fidelity in Virtual Reality Learning Experiences for Self-Efficacy and Transfer. Computers & Education: X Reality, 2, 100017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cexr.2023.100017
Mar, T. T., Al-Mandhari, B. R. S., Hercz, M., & AlGhdani, A. S. (2025). University Students’ Character Strengths and Their Impact on Quality Education in Higher Education. Education Sciences, 15(10), 1407. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101407
Mushtaq, S., Mohsin, M., & Mushtaq, M. M. (2025). A Systematic Literature Review on the Implementation and Challenges of Zero Trust Architecture Across Domains. Sensors, 25(19), 6118. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25196118
Mystakidis, S. (2021). Deep Meaningful Learning. Encyclopedia, 1(3), 988–997. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia1030075
Prayitno, M., & Mahmudi, M. R. (2025). Effectiveness of the Merdeka Belajar Policy: Challenges and Opportunities in Improving the Quality of Primary and Secondary Education in Indonesia. MANDALIKA: Journal of Social Science, 3(1), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.56566/mandalika.v3i1.290
Rehman, N., Huang, X., Mahmood, A., AlGerafi, M. A. M., & Javed, S. (2024). Project-Based Learning as a Catalyst for 21st-Century Skills and Student Engagement in the Math Classroom. Heliyon, 10(23), e39988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39988
Rigopouli, K., Kotsifakos, D., & Psaromiligkos, Y. (2025). Vygotsky’s Creativity Options and Ideas in 21st-Century Technology-Enhanced Learning Design. Education Sciences, 15(2), 257. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020257
Sakti, S. A., Endraswara, S., & Rohman, A. (2024). Revitalizing Local Wisdom within Character Education Through Ethnopedagogy Apporach: A Case Study on a Preschool in Yogyakarta. Heliyon, 10(10), e31370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31370
Salmon, A. K., & Barrera, M. X. (2021). Intentional Questioning to Promote Thinking and Learning. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 40, 100822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100822
Seyaningsih, N., & Sari, W. A. K. (2021). Development of the Assessment Model Based on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) to Measure Students’ Critical Thinking. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1776(1), 012022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1776/1/012022
Sinaga, B., Sitorus, J., & Situmeang, T. (2023). The Influence of Students’ Problem-Solving Understanding and Results of Students’ Mathematics Learning. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1088556. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1088556
Sudarmono, M. A., Hasan, H., & Halima, H. (2025). Deep Learning Approach in Improving Critical Thinking Skills of Elementary School Students. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 11(8), 60–70. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v11i8.11708
Suprijono, A., Abbas, E. W., & Riyadi, R. (2025). Metacognition and Cooperative Learning Based on Deliberative Democracy Moderated by Learning Style Toward Critical Thinking Skill in Social Studies Learning. Cogent Education, 12(1), 2458915. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2458915
Thornhill-Miller, B., Camarda, A., Mercier, M., Burkhardt, J.-M., Morisseau, T., Bourgeois-Bougrine, S., Vinchon, F., El Hayek, S., Augereau-Landais, M., Mourey, F., Feybesse, C., Sundquist, D., & Lubart, T. (2023). Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration: Assessment, Certification, and Promotion of 21st Century Skills for the Future of Work and Education. Journal of Intelligence, 11(3), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11030054
Walter, Y. (2024). Embracing the Future of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom: The Relevance of AI Literacy, Prompt Engineering, and Critical Thinking in Modern Education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00448-3
Wardani, N., & Siregar, T. J. (2023). The Development of HOTS (Higher-Order Thinking Skills) Assessment Instrument Based on Numeration Literacy in Mathematics for Junior High School. Indonesian Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 6(2), 238–252. https://doi.org/10.24042/ijsme.v6i2.17433
Witarsa, W., & Muhammad, S. (2023). Critical Thinking as a Necessity for Social Science Students Capacity Development: How It Can Be Strengthened Through Project Based Learning at University. Frontiers in Education, 7, 983292. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.983292
Wu, H., & Molnár, G. (2022). Analysing Complex Problem-Solving Strategies from a Cognitive Perspective: The Role of Thinking Skills. Journal of Intelligence, 10(3), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence10030046
Yu, L., & Zin, Z. M. (2023). The Critical Thinking-Oriented Adaptations of Problem-Based Learning Models: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1139987. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1139987
Zamiri, M., & Esmaeili, A. (2024). Methods and Technologies for Supporting Knowledge Sharing within Learning Communities: A Systematic Literature Review. Administrative Sciences, 14(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14010017
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Surajuddin, Nurhayati B, Muhiddin Palennari, Firdaus Daud, Ismail
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
