Developing Android-Based Learning Media for Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills Through Problem-Based Learning

Traditional teaching methods often limit the development of critical thinking skills among Junior High School (SMP) students, particularly in complex science topics such as Earth’s Layers. Addressing this educational challenge, this study focuses on developing an Android-based learning media meticulously designed to integrate a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach, aiming to significantly enhance students’ critical thinking abilities. The research employed a rigorous Research and Development (R&D) methodology, adhering to the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). The developed media underwent comprehensive validation by subject matter and media experts, achieving high average scores (4.45 for content, 4.55 for media), confirming its pedagogical and technological soundness. Subsequent small-scale trials yielded overwhelmingly positive student responses, with an average acceptance score of 90.29%. Crucially, effectiveness tests, utilizing pretest-posttest assessments and paired sample t-tests, revealed a statistically significant increase in critical thinking scores (from a mean of 58.8 to 84.2), demonstrating a very large effect size (Cohen’s d=2.91). Further indicator-based analysis confirmed significant improvements across all critical thinking dimensions. These findings underscore that the developed Android-based PBL media serves as a highly effective instructional tool, offering a practical and innovative resource for fostering 21st-century critical thinking skills in science education.