ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF GROUP DISCUSSION METHODS IN IMPROVING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF SINT. JOSEPH KABANJAHE

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of the group discussion method in improving students' critical thinking skills at Sint Private Elementary School. Yoseph Kabanjahe. The research method used was an experiment with a pretest-posttest design, where two groups of students were observed: the experimental group which used the group discussion method and the control group which used conventional learning methods. Data was collected through critical thinking tests before and after treatment, as well as observations and interviews.The results showed that students in the experimental group experienced significant improvements in critical thinking skills compared to the control group, which was reflected in the posttest results. Observations show that students are more actively involved in discussions, have more courage to ask questions, and are able to convey arguments well. This research indicates that group discussions are effective in creating a learning environment that supports the development of students' critical thinking skills.Despite its limitations, these findings provide important implications for educational practice in elementary schools, indicating that the group discussion method can be implemented as an effective learning strategy. Further research is needed to confirm these results and explore variations of learning strategies that can improve critical thinking skills among students.In an educational context that increasingly emphasizes the importance of critical thinking skills to face challenges in the modern world, this research provides valuable insights for educators and policy makers. The research results show that through social interaction in group discussions, students can exchange ideas and deepen their understanding of teaching material. This shows that learning methods that involve active participation of students not only improve academic understanding, but also build interpersonal skills that are important for their social development.Thus, this research recommends that schools, especially at the elementary level, consider implementing group discussion methods as an integral part of the learning curriculum. The implementation of this method is expected to facilitate the development of better critical thinking, while creating a more collaborative and enjoyable learning environment for students. Further research is also recommended to investigate other factors that may influence the success of group discussion methods, such as the teacher's role in facilitating discussion, group structure, and the influence of individual student characteristics on engagement and learning outcomes.