Profile of rational thinking ability skills and student learning motivation in physics learning

Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Department of Physics Education, Medan 20217, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: sheila.fitriana01@gmail.com

Abstract

Based on observations in the field, the learning process of Physics is still teacher-centered and does not provide opportunities for students to build their own knowledge through rational thinking skills. The research aims to describe the profile of rational thinking skills and student motivation. The research method used descriptive research with a single case design for the 32 students of SMPS AL WASHLIYAH 8, who are studying temperature and heat. The technique sampling used accidental sampling or convenience sampling. The results showed that students’ rational thinking skills were still low, aspects of students’ remembering, classifying and evaluating skills were at the highest achievement with percentages of 94%, 95%, and 95% respectively, aspects of generalizing skills were in the medium category with a percentage of 70 %, while the aspect of comparing and analyzing skills is in the very low category with percentages of 30% and 48%, respectively. The student’s learning motivation profile includes the variables of persevering in facing tasks, being tenacious in facing difficulties, showing interest, and independent learning showing results in the medium category. Based on the results of the study, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth experimental study to see the success in improving the rational thinking skills of junior high school students in learning physics.