A STUDY OF ABILITY IN CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS USING PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING OF STUDENTS IN FACULTY OF EDUCATION, SUAN SUNANDHA RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

           The purpose of this research was to study the critical thinking skills of the first-year students at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, by using problem-based learning management and also to compare the ability of critical thinking skills of the first-year students at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University before and after using problem-based learning management as a whole and as in each aspect. The sample group used in this research is all the first-year students who are studying in the Faculty of Education, majoring in Early Childhood Education and are enrolled in language courses and literacy for preschool children in the academic year 2018, 75 students were selected specifically. The content of this research is related to critical thinking skills and problem-based learning management. The tools used in the research are learning management plans and the ability of critical thinking skills assessment test which was conducted before and after the experimental. The data were analyzed by using means, average and standard deviation. The result of the research indicated that the Problem-based learning management can develop students' critical thinking skills, moreover students has higher critical thinking skills after implementing the problem-based learning management at an average score. Referred to the ability of critical thinking assessment test after the experiment, the results were higher than before the experiment with an average of 16.14 that considered at a high level. And the standard deviation was 1.33 which is higher than the pre-test score with a mean of 7.04 at a low level and the standard deviation equal to 1.09 respectively. And when considering each aspect, it was found that every aspect had the level of competency, critical thinking skills after the experiment higher than before the experiment at all levels in every aspect. In the aspect of the capability of judging the data, the results of post-test shown at the highest level. Furthermore, in the capability in defining the definition aspect, the results of post-test shown at the lowest level.