THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION ON STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Kris Indriyani(1*), Desy Aprima(2)

(1) Universitas Muhamadiyah OKU Timur
(2) Universitas Muhamadiyah OKU Timur
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


The effect of differentiated learning on students' critical thinking skills at Tugu Harum elementary school in the subject of Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) is the aim of this study. This study employs a quantitative approach, with the Quasi-Experimental Design method being used as a type of non-equivalent control group design. A total of 30 fifth-grade students at elementary school Tugu Harum were selected as the sample for this study. Data collection methods included a 15-item essay test, which was evaluated for validity and credibility. The results showed a very high Cronbach’s Alpha value for the categories. Normality, homogeneity, and hypothesis tests were conducted to analyze the data. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference between the posttest results of the experimental group and the control group. This discovery suggests that the implementation of differentiated learning significantly affects the improvement of students' critical thinking skills. By providing treatments that align with students' readiness, interests, and learning styles, differentiated learning can foster a more active, meaningful, and effective learning process. Therefore, this approach can serve as a creative alternative to enhance the quality of learning in elementary schools, with a particular emphasis on developing critical thinking skills relevant to the 21st century.


Keywords


Critical Thinking Skills; Differentiated Learning; IPAS

Full Text:

PDF

References


Aida, N. (2024). The Role of Teachers in Improving Student Achievement: Strategies, Methods, and Impacts on Learning. Al-Am: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 1(1), 58–79.

Adi, M. I. F., Masnawati, E., Abrori, M. M. L., & Luthfyah, L. (2025). Implementation of Differentiated Learning Models to Accommodate Inclusive Students’ Learning Styles at SMP Negeri 3 Krian Sidoarjo. Pendas: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(02), 240–252.

Avandra, R. (2022). Implementation of differentiated learning on students’ critical thinking skills in sixth-grade science learning. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 8(2), 2944–2960.

Budi, I. B. K., Fauziah, D. N., Maftuh, B., & Somantri, M. (2025). Analysis of the PjBL Model to Improve Differentiated Learning in Elementary Schools. Scholaria: Journal of Education and Culture, 15(3), 240–250.

Elviya, D. D. (2023). The Implementation of Differentiated Learning in the Merdeka Curriculum in Indonesian Language Learning for Grade IV Elementary School Students at SDN Lakarsantri I/472 Surabaya. Jurnal Studi Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 11(8).

Febrianti, M., & Dafit, F. (2023). Implementation of Differentiated Learning in the Merdeka Curriculum in Grade IV of UPT SD Negeri 005 Hangtuah, Kampar Regency. Social Science Academic, 1(2), 99–116.

Fitriyah, F., & Bisri, M. (2023). Differentiated Learning Based on the Diversity and Uniqueness of Elementary School Students. Jurnal Review Pendidikan Dasar: Journal of Education and Research Studies, 9(2), 67–73.

Gemnafle, M., & Batlolona, J. R. (2021). Learning Management. Indonesian Teacher Professional Education Journal (JPPGI), 1(1), 28–42.

Huda, A. I. N., & Abduh, M. (2021). Improving Students’ Critical Thinking Skills through the Problem-Based Learning Model in Elementary Schools. Jurnal Basicedu, 5(3), 1547–1554.

Nofriansyah, N., Pernantah, P. S., & Riyadi, S. (2022). Gaya belajar peserta didik berprestasi. Edukatif: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(1), 1565-1574.

Nofriansyah, N., Sutarni, N., Mardetini, E., & Riyadi, S. (2023). Analisis Gaya Belajar Mahasiswa Pada Mata Kuliah Kajian Pedagogik. Jurnal PROFIT: Pendidikan Ekonomi Dan Ilmu Ekonomi, 11(2), 135–143. https://doi.org/10.36706/jp.v11i2.23

Nofriansyah, N., Rahayu, S., & Wardiman, J. (2024). Cooperative Learning Model of Group Investigation Technique in Economic Learning. Journal of Economics and Economic Education, 1(1), 41-48.

Nofriansyah, N., Wardiman, J., & Rahmi, Y. (2024). The Effect of the Team Games Tournament (TGT) Learning Model on Students' Achievement in Economics Education. Journal of Economics and Economic Education, 1(2), 144-155.

Nofriansyah, N., Ahman, E., Supriatna, E., Rahayu, S., & Riyadi, S. (2025). Improvement Of Student Learning Outcomes Through The Team Games Tournament (TGT) Cooperative Learning Model. Research and Development Journal of Education, 11(1), 630-640.

Nurharirah, S., Haris, R., & Prasetyo, T. (2025). Teachers’ Strategies in Managing Classrooms with Diverse Learning Styles in Elementary Schools. Jurnal Pengajaran Sekolah Dasar, 4(2), 417–428.

Purwowidodo, A., & Zaini, M. (2023). Theory and Practice of Differentiated Learning Models: Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. Yogyakarta: Penebar Media Pustaka, 65.

Rahayu, S., Ahman, E., Nofriansyah, N., Supriatna, E., & Soffiatun, S. (2025a). The Effect of The Project Based Learning Model on The Learning Outcomes of Creative Products and Entrepreneurship. Research and Development Journal of Education, 11(1), 641-648.

Rahayu, S., Sutarni, N., Nofriansyah, N., & Soffiatun, S. (2025b). The Effectiveness of The Arcs Learning Model in Improving Student Learning Outcomes in Economics. Research and Development Journal of Education, 11(1), 115-123.

Ramadhan, S., Kusumawati, Y., & Aulia, R. (2024). Education and Learning in the Merdeka Curriculum at Elementary Schools. K-Media Publisher.

Subhan, F., Susanto, N. R., Agung, N. I. K., Sabila, S. Z., Nafisah, T. R., & Suwanto, F. R. (2025). Development of a Monopoly Geometry Learning Media Based on Realistic Mathematics Education to Improve Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills of Students at UPT SMP Negeri 29 Medan. MAJAMATH: Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics Education, 8(2), 131–139.

Suwartiningsih, S. (2021). Implementation of Differentiated Learning to Improve Students’ Learning Outcomes in Science Subject, Topic: Soil and Life Sustainability, in Class IXB Even Semester at SMPN 4 Monta Academic Year 2020/2021. Indonesian Journal of Education and Learning (JPPI), 1(2), 80–94.

Syia, A. A., & Khairina, G. P. (2024). Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at the Elementary Level to Create a Globally Competitive Golden Generation. Shibghoh: Proceedings of Educational Sciences UNIDA Gontor, 2(1), 352–363.

Wahyudi, S. A., Siddik, M., & Suhartini, E. (2023). Analysis of IPAS Learning through the Application of Differentiated Learning Approaches in the Merdeka Curriculum. Jurnal Pendidikan MIPA, 13(4), 1105–1113.

Wulandari, S., Sutarto, S., & Idris, M. (2025). PAI Teachers’ Creativity in Developing Students’ Critical Thinking Skills at SMP Negeri 4 Rejang Lebong (Doctoral dissertation, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Curup).




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30998/rdje.v11i2.24756

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.