Google Sites Integration to Improve Students' Critical Thinking Skills in Social Studies Learning at Pontianak City Junior High School

Abstract : This study aims to examine the integration of Google Sites as a web-based learning medium in improving students’ critical thinking skills in Social Sciences (IPS) subjects at Pontianak City Junior High School. The low critical thinking ability of Indonesian students as reflected in the results of PISA 2022 encourages the urgent need for learning innovations that are able to encourage high-level thinking processes. The research approach used is mixed methods with a sequential explanatory design, involving grade VII students of Pontianak City Junior High School, namely at SMP Negeri 1 Pontianak City, SMP Negeri 10 Pontianak City and SMP Negeri 28 Pontianak City. Data collection was carried out through critical thinking ability tests (pretest and posttest), learning implementation observation sheets, student response questionnaires, and in-depth interviews. The Google Sites integration is designed based on the TPACK framework and the Inquiry Learning model with five main syntax: problem orientation, information exploration, analysis and discussion, synthesis and presentation, and reflection. Critical thinking skills are measured using the six components of Facione’s theory: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation, and self-regulation. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ critical thinking skills after the implementation of Google Sites-based learning, accompanied by positive responses from students to interactive, contextual, and real social problem-oriented learning experiences. This research makes a practical contribution to the development of innovative social studies learning that is in line with the demands of the Independent Curriculum and the 21st century Graduate Profile.