UNDERSTANDING STUDENT PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESSES IN PHYSICS: FOCUS ON GLOBAL WARMING TOPICS

Masda Pandiangan; Klara Wahyu Isyra; Nurul Fitriyah Sulaeman; Agung Rahmadani

doi:10.31764/paedagoria.v16i4.31997

UNDERSTANDING STUDENT PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESSES IN PHYSICS: FOCUS ON GLOBAL WARMING TOPICS

Masda Pandiangan, Klara Wahyu Isyra, Nurul Fitriyah Sulaeman, Agung Rahmadani

Abstract

This study aims to analyze students' problem-solving abilities in physics related to global warming materials. The research employed a mixed-method approach combining quantitative test analysis and qualitative interviews. A total of 60 students from class X at a public high school in Samarinda city were selected using purposive sampling, considering their representativeness of the school's academic characteristics. The instrument used was a written test consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions and 5 essay questions, which had previously been validated by two physics education. The results showed that most students' problem-solving abilities were categorized as low to moderate. Specifically, 5 students were in the very low category, 7 in the low category, 7 in the sufficient category, and 7 in the moderate category. The average test score was 63.9, with a minimum score of 53.3 and a maximum score of 75.3. Furthermore, interviews with six selected students representing each ability level revealed that students in the low category had difficulty connecting physics concepts with real-world environmental issues, while students in the moderate category were able to identify problems but struggled to develop structured problem-solving strategies. The findings indicate that physics learning still requires improvement, especially in developing students' higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). Therefore, physics instruction should be directed towards more applicable and contextual learning strategies, such as problem-based learning (PBL) and inquiry-based approaches, to help students meaningfully connect physics concepts with real environmental phenomena like global warming.

Keywords

contextual learning; enviromental issues; global warming; physcis education; problem solving skills

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31764/paedagoria.v16i4.31997