IMPROVING STUDENTS’ HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILLS IN THERMOCHEMISTRY CONCEPTS USING STUDENT WORKSHEETS: ARFAIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL IN FOCUS

Abstract

This research was investigated the effectiveness of student worksheets in improving higherorder thinking skills (HOTS) among grade 12 natural science students that are the learners of thermochemistry. In this study, 15 male and 10 female from experimental group and 15 male and 10 female from control group that make a total of 30 male and 20 female students were participated. The study employed a quasi-experimental design, comparing the performance of two groups of students: an experimental group that received instruction supplemented with worksheets designed to promote HOTS, and a control group that received traditional instruction (convectional way of lecturing). Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess students' understanding of thermochemistry concepts and their ability to demonstrate HOTS. The research data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using t test. The mean gain of experimental group was 6.2 and the mean gain of control group was 4.76.The results revealed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in both areas, indicating the efficacy of the worksheet-based approach in fostering higher-order thinking. Students were also given attitude scale toward Thermochemistry concepts and worksheet experience, questionnaires and interviews. The responses to these data gathering instruments using the t test indicated that the use of worksheets designed to promote HOTS was effective in enhancing students' understanding and critical thinking skills.