The impact of problem based learning model through e-learning on students’ critical thinking ability

This research is motivated by long distance learning and the importance of critical thinking ability. Several previous studies relating to critical thinking ability were about understanding students’ critical thinking ability based on gender and students’ characteristics of lower and upper group critical thinking ability. However, almost no research could be found on students’ critical thinking ability who have learned with problem-based learning model through e-learning and students’ characteristics of middle critical thinking ability. Therefore, this study aims to identify students’ critical thinking ability who have learned with problem-based learning model through e-learning. The method in this study was qualitative with case-study approach. We gave a learning with problem based learning model through e-learning and a written test to 36 students on 8th grade students of one junior high school in Banyumas, Central Java. Then, we conducted interviews to 2 upper group students, 2 middle group students, and 2 lower group students. The results show that the students with upper, middle, and lower group critical thinking ability have different characteristics in each indicator of critical thinking ability. Meanwhile, the student who have learned with problem-based learning models through e-learning dominant in middle group critical thinking ability.