Page 1 of 19

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 10, No. 4

Publication Date: April 25, 2023

DOI:10.14738/assrj.104.14564.

Pandiangan, P. (2023). The Power of the Physics Independent Learning Model Instrument in Online Tutorials to Enhance

Independent Learning Skills and Critical Thinking Skills. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(4). 269-287.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

The Power of the Physics Independent Learning Model

Instrument in Online Tutorials to Enhance Independent

Learning Skills and Critical Thinking Skills

Paken Pandiangan

Physics Education Study Program,

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education,

Universitas Terbuka, Jakarta, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Universitas Terbuka has an especially significant role in seeking quality processes

and learning outcomes through valid and effective learning, especially in Open and

Distance Learning (ODL). As material for operationalizing the Physics Independent

Learning (PIL) learning model in online tutorials, learning instruments for the PIL

model are needed so that it supports independent learning skills and critical

thinking skill of students at ODL. This study aims to analyze the validity and

effectiveness of the PIL model instrument in online tutorials to improve self- learning and critical thinking skills in ODL physics students in wave and sound

physics courses. This type of research is educational development research with a

sample of 120 undergraduate physics education students at Universitas Tebuka.

This research was conducted in two stages, namely preliminary and developmental

studies, and extensive trials. The results showed that both the content validity and

the construct validity of the PIL model set of wave and sound materials were

included in the validity and reliability categories with rα each of (0.800 – 0.936) >

(0.2907 - 0.2656) for r table N = (9 - 51) and α are greater than 0.9, respectively. The

independent sample t-test parametric inferential statistical test results show that

the p value > 0.05. The PIL model instruments of wave and sound materials is

consistent with the PIL model, so it is suitable for use in physics learning tutorials.

The PIL model instrument is effectively used in learning physics because it can have

a consistent impact on improving student learning outcomes in the CTS and ILS

aspects on large-scale tests. Obstacles that previously appeared in ODL such as

limited practice tools and materials as well as limitations in independent learning

and critical thinking skill, can be overcome through the PIL model instruments. The

PIL model set is recommended to support students' independent learning and

critical thinking skills in ODL.

Keywords: critical thinking skill, distance learning, independent learning skill, physics

education, waves and sounds.

INTRODUCTION

In the 21st century, education has an especially significant role in improving Human Resources

(HR) who have the skills needed in the world of work. On the other hand, curriculum demands

in the globalization era require educational institutions to innovate that are beneficial to the

world of 21st century skills-based education [1,2]. Regulation of the Minister of Education and

Page 2 of 19

270

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 10, Issue 4, April-2023

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Culture Republic of Indonesia No.73 of 2013 concerning the Indonesian National Qualifications

Framework in the field of higher education requires tertiary institutions to develop an

appropriate curriculum so that students have superior competence with various skills that are

in line with the demands of the 21st century, including independent learning skills, critical

thinking skills, mastery of Information and Communication Technology, and collaboration

skills [3,4,5].

21st century learning requires human resources with competencies and student achievements

directed at learning skills and innovation, including critical thinking skills, problem solving

skills, decision making, creative thinking, responsibility, and being able to learn independently

[2]. Based on these competencies, UT has an especially significant role in seeking the quality of

learning processes and outcomes, including the processes and results of learning waves and

sounds through valid and effective learning, especially in Open and Distance Learning (ODL).

Universitas Terbuka (UT) is a State University which in its learning process implements ODL.

One of the characteristics of ODL is the separation between students and lecturers in the

teaching and learning process so that in the learning process, learning media is needed as a

substitute for the presence of lecturers in class. According to Moore, Dickson-Deane, & Galyen

[6] the learning media used in ODL can be in the form of print media or electronic media that

are specifically designed to be self-containing [7, 8] so that it is effective in improving students'

independent learning skills [9,10]. Independent learning skills can be possessed by students if

a valid, practical, and effective learning model is designed so that the learning model can be

used as a guide in planning, implementing, and evaluating learning either through online

tutorials or through face-to-face tutorials [11]. As material for operationalizing the learning

model in the tutorial class, a learning instrument must be designed in the form of a syllabus,

teaching materials, student worksheets, and evaluation instruments so that it is hoped that it

can be used to improve students' independent learning skills and critical thinking skills at ODL.

In connection with improving the quality of the process and learning outcomes mentioned

above, there are important problems facing the world of education today; the first is how to

strive for UT students to have independent learning skills [11, 12, 13]; and how to improve

students' critical thinking skills through learning [14, 15]. This needs to be done because it is

suspected that quite a lot of students do not have critical thinking skills [16]. Critical thinking

skills are important things that need to be mastered by ODL students. The results of the

research by Patrick, Fallon, Campbell, Cretchley, Devenish, & Tayebjee [17] and Pithers, &

Soden [18] state that to train critical thinking skills an appropriate learning model/device must

be developed, but research shows that there are still some tutors who don't know how to

develop learning models/instruments to practice critical thinking skills effectively.

Research by Martin, Mullis, Foy, & Stanco [19] shows that the average Indonesian student is

only able to recognize several basic facts but has not been able to communicate and relate

various scientific topics, especially in applying complex and abstract concepts. This fact is in

line with the research results of Rosyid, Jatmiko, & Supardi [20] which showed that the physics

learning process is still teacher center and places more emphasis on the knowledge transfer

process so that it has not been able to enable students to construct knowledge.

The low critical thinking skills of students are thought to have something to do with the learning

process that occurs. The learning model used is a conventional learning model that does not

Page 3 of 19

271

Pandiangan, P. (2023). The Power of the Physics Independent Learning Model Instrument in Online Tutorials to Enhance Independent Learning

Skills and Critical Thinking Skills. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(4). 269-287.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.104.14564

facilitate students in developing students' critical thinking skills which results in low learning

achievement [21, 22]. To improve science learning, it is necessary to find alternative solutions

by implementing the PIL learning model, multiple intelligences theory, constructivist theory,

cognitive theory, and andragogy theory that are practical and effective in science learning,

especially in teaching materials about Wave and Sound. The PIL Orientation learning model has

six syntaxes, namely: (1) initiation and persistence, (2) strong responsibility, (3) self and group

investigation, (4) data analysis, (5) presenting and discussion, (6) strengthening and evaluation

[11].

The PIL learning model is thought to be able to motivate students to conduct investigations and

problem solving in real life situations and stimulate students to produce a product to improve

independent learning skills and critical thinking skills. Authentic problem-based learning can

develop critical thinking and analysis skills and expose students to exercises to solve problems

[23, 24]. Likewise, the multi-representational problem-based learning model through the Easy

Java Simulation (EJS) approach is thought to be able to stimulate students in conducting

analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, so that students can build their own understanding [26, 27].

This is also in accordance with Ainsworth's research and Ciais et al. research [27, 28] which

states that learning with metarepresentational has three main functions, i.e., as a complement

[29], limiting interpretation [30, 31], and can build understanding more comprehensive [32,

33]. The results of previous research conducted showed that the PIL model with its supporting

learning instruments for electricity and magnetism teaching materials can significantly

improve students' physics problem-solving skills and independent learning skills with n-gain

in the medium category in limited trials and in the high category in broad trials [11].

UT as a higher education institution that organizes ODL has facilitated students with various

teaching materials and learning models that can be integrated with information and

communication technology. However, all existing teaching materials do not refer to a learning

model to provide learning experiences for student teachers in positions (in-service training).

All the teaching materials provided by UT are only used as learning instruments and have not

been utilized to produce learning models. Learning models obtained through a series of studies

are less useful and not yet effective because they are not used optimally. Of course, this has not

been utilized optimally by UT as higher education institutions which must be responsible for

developing learning models, strategies, approaches, methods, or techniques in 21st century

learning [35, 36].

The PIL model is extremely useful for increasing the competence of tutors and students in

designing, implementing, and evaluating learning at ODL. Learning becomes more interesting,

more challenging, and better suited to students' needs when using the PIL model instruments

which are allegedly validity, practicality, and effectiveness in enhance students' independent

learning skills (ILS) and critical thinking skills (CTS). The Power of the Physics Independent

Learning Model Instrument consists of three things, namely, model validity, model practicality,

and model effectiveness [82]. The discussion in this study only focuses on the validity of the

model and the effectiveness of the model, while the practicality of the model has been discussed

in other publications [11, 81].

Based on the background that has been described, there are two problems that will be

discussed in this research: 1) How is the validity of the PIL model learning instruments in