THE PRACTICE OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS: TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION AND READINESS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2022.19.1.1Keywords:
Teacher perception, teacher readiness, critical thinking skills, mathematics, HOTS.Abstract
Purpose - This study was conducted to identify the relationship and influence of mathematics teachers’ perception and readiness on the practice of critical thinking skills (CTS) in implementing pedagogical processes in secondary schools.
Methodology - Participants of the study consisted of 226 mathematics teachers who taught in three different secondary school categories, namely high performing schools (HPS), moderate performing schools (MPS) and low performing schools (LPS) throughout the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. The instrument used was adapted from Thurman (2009) to test the teachers’ perception of CTS, while the teachers’ readiness to apply CTS was adapted from Nagappan (2001) and Yusof and Ibrahim (2012). Besides, measurement of the teachers’ practice of CTS was adapted from Aldegether (2009), Barak and Shakhman (2008), and Shim and Walczak (2012).
Findings - Teachers’ perception, readiness, and CTS practice in mathematics teaching were high in HPS but low in LPS. There was a strong positive relationship between teachers’ perception of CTS practice and teachers’ readiness to implement CTS practice in mathematics teaching. In addition, a total of 65 percent variance was contributed by both variables, namely teachers’ perception and teachers’ readiness for CTS practice in mathematics teaching, and this contribution was very high.
Significance - The findings of the study also proved that the practice of CTS has improved the pedagogical quality of teachers, especially in meeting the needs of 21st century learning in the classroom. The emphasis on higher order thinking skills (HOTS) is a continuation of the excellence of teaching strategies through a variety of planned learning resources.
Metrics
Metrics Loading ...
References
Ab Kadir, M. A. (2017). What teacher knowledge matters in effectively developing critical thinkers in the 21 st century curriculum? Thinking Skills and Creativity, 23, 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2016.10.011
Acharya, K. P. (2017). Exploring critical thinking for secondary level students in Chemistry: from insight to practice. Journal of Advanced College of Engineering and Management, 3, 31–39. https://doi.org/10.3126/jacem.v3i0.18812
Aini, N. R., Syafril, S., Netriwati, N., Pahrudin, A., Rahayu, T., & Puspasari, V. (2019). Problem-based learning for critical thinking skills in Mathematics. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1155(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1155/1/012026
Aldegether, R. (2009). Teacher educators’ opinions and knowledge about critical thinking and the methods they use to encourage critical thinking skills in five female teacher colleges in Saudi Arabia. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Kansas, USA.
Arbuckle, J. L. (2016). IBM SPSS AMOS 24 User’s Guide. Chicago, IL: Amos Development Corporation.
As’ari, A. R., Mahmudi, A., & Nuerlaelah, E. (2017). Our prospective Mathematics teachers are not critical thinkers yet. Journal on Mathematics Education, 8(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.8.2.3961.145-156
Awang, Z., Hui, L. S., & Zainuddin, N. F. S. (2018). Pendekatan Mudah SEM: Structural Equation Modelling. Bandar Baru Bangi: MPWS Rich Resources Sdn Bhd.
Barak, M., & Shakhman, L. (2008). Reform-based science teaching: teachers’ instructional practices and conceptions. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 4(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/75301
Behar-Horenstein, L. S., & Niu, L. (2011). Teaching critical thinking skills in higher education: a review of the literature. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 8(2), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v8i2.3554
Birgili, B. (2015). Creative and critical thinking skills in problem-based learning environments. Journal of Gifted Education and Creativity, 2(2), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.18200/JGEDC.2015214253
Cansoy, R., Parlar, H., & Polatcan, M. (2018). Teacher candidates’ critical thinking tendencies research in Turkey: A content analysis. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 6(9), 1974–1980. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2018.060916
Changwong, K., Sukkamart, A., & Sisan, B. (2018). Critical thinking skill development: Analysis of a new learning management model for Thai high schools. Journal of International Studies, 11(2), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2018/11-2/3
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Curriculum Development Centre. (1989). Rancangan Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Menengah. Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
Curriculum Development Centre. (1993). Kemahiran berfikir: Konsep, model dan strategi pengajaran-pembelajaran. Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
Dancey, C., & Reidy, J. (2011). Statistics without maths for psychology (5th ed.). Rotolito Lombarda, Italy: Prentice Hall.
Danielson, C. (2007). Enhancing professional practice: A framework for teaching. Alexandria, VA: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
DeBono, E. (1985). DeBono’s thinking course. New York, NY: Facts on File Publications.
Dehghayedi, M., & Bagheri, M. S. (2018). EFL teachers’ learning and teaching beliefs: does critical thinking make a difference? International Journal of Instruction, 11(4), 223–240. https://doi.org/10.12973/iji.2018.11415a
Duran, M., & Dokme, I. (2016). The effect of the inquiry-based learning approach on student’s critical thinking skills. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 12(12), 2887–2908. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.02311a
Ennis, R. H. (2016). Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum: A Vision. Topoi, 37(1), 165–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11245-016-9401-4
Erdem, A. R., & Adiguzel, D. C. (2019). The opinions of primary school teachers on their creative thinking skills. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 19(80), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2019.80.2
Erdogan, F. (2020). The relationship between prospective middle school mathematics teachers’ critical thinking skills and reflective thinking skills. Participatory Educational Research, 7(1), 220–241. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.20.13.7.1
Facione, P. A. (2006). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Carlifornia, CA: Carlifornia Academic Press.
Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. In Insight assessment (pp. 1–28). Hermosa Beach, CA: Measured Reasons LLC. Retrieved from https://www.insightassessment.com/CT-Resources/Teaching-For-and-About-Critical-Thinking/Critical-Thinking-What-It-Is-and-Why-It-Counts/Critical-Thinking-What-It-Is-and-Why-It-Counts-PDF
Firdaus, Kailani, I., Bakar, M. N., & Bakry. (2015). Developing Critical Thinking Skills of Students in Mathematics Learning. Journal of Education and Learning, 9(3), 226–236.
Ganapathy, M., & Kaur, S. (2014). ESL students’ perceptions of the use of higher order thinking skills in English Language writing. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 5(5), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.5n.5p.80
Hair, J. J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2014). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Essex: Pearson Education Limited.
Hollins, E. R. (2011). Teacher Preparation For Quality Teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 62(4), 395–407. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487111409415
Ismail, S. N., Muhammad, S., Kanesan, A. G., & Ali, R. M. (2019). The influence of teachers’ perception and readiness towards the implementation of critical thinking skills (CTS) practice in Mathematics. International Journal of Instruction, 12(2), 337–352. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12222a
Janssen, E. M., Mainhard, T., Buisman, R. S. M., Verkoeijen, P. P. J. L., Heijltjes, A. E. G., van Peppen, L. M., & van Gog, T. (2019). Training higher education teachers’ critical thinking and attitudes towards teaching it. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 58(March), 310–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.03.007
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2012). Program i-Think: membudayakan kemahiran berfikir. Putrajaya, KPM.
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2013). Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia 2013 – 2015. Putrajaya: KPM.
Kozikoglu, I. (2019). Investigating critical thinking in prospective teachers: Metacognitive skills, problem solving skills and academic self-efficacy. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 10(2), 111–130.
Krejcie, R. V, & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 38(1), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Kusaeri, K., & Aditomo, A. (2019). Pedagogical beliefs about critical thinking among Indonesian Mathematics pre-service teachers. International Journal of Instruction, 12(1), 573–590. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12137a
Mahanal, S., Zubaidah, S., Sumiati, I. D., Sari, T. M., & Ismirawati, N. (2019). RICOSRE: A learning model to develop critical thinking skills for students with different academic abilities. International Journal of Instruction, 12(2), 417–434. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12227a
Maryuningsih, Y., Hidayat, T., Riandi, R., & Rustaman, N. Y. (2019). Critical thinking skills of prospective biology teacher on the chromosomal basic of inheritance learning through online discussion forums. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1157(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1157/2/022090
Munawaroh, H., Sudiyanto, & Riyadi. (2018). Teachers’ perceptions of innovative learning model toward critical thinking ability. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(3), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.3.153
Nagappan, R. (2001). The teaching of higher-order thinking skills in Malaysia. Journal of Southeast Asian Education, 2(1), 1–21.
Nisbet, R. I., & Collins, J. (1978). Barriers and Resistance to Innovation. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 3(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.1978v3n1.1
Nunnally, J. C. (1994). Psychimetric theory (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Tata McGraw-hill education.
Omar, M. N., Ismail, S. N., & Kasim, A. L. (2019). Hubungan kepimpinan teknologi pengetua dan efikasi kendiri guru. Jurnal Kepimpinan Pendidikan, 6(4), 1–21.
Pallant, J. (2011). SPSS survival manual (4th ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2005). The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and tools. Dillion Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Plotnikova, N. F., & Strukov, E. N. (2019). Integration of teamwork and critical thinking skills in the process of teaching students. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 14(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v14i1.4031
Putri, A., Roza, Y., & Maimunah. (2020). Development of learning tools with the discovery learning model to improve the critical thinking ability of Mathematics. Journal of Educational Sciences, 4(1), 83–92. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31258/jes.4.1.p.83-92
Rini, D. S., Adisyahputra, & Sigit, D. V. (2020). Boosting student critical thinking ability through project based learning, motivation and visual, auditory, kinesthetic learning style: A study on Ecosystem topic. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4A), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.081806
Shiau, W.-L., Sarstedt, M., & Hair, J. F. (2019). Internet research using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Internet Research, 29(3), 398–406. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-10-2018-0447
Shim, W.-J., & Walczak, K. (2012). The impact of faculty teaching practices on the development of students’ critical thinking skills. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 24(1), 16–30. Retrieved from http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/
Snyder, L. G., & Snyder, M. J. (2008). Teaching critical thinking and problem solving skills. The Delta Pi Episilon Journal, 50(2), 90–99.
Su, H. F. H. “Angie,†Ricci, F. A., & Mnatsakanian, M. (2015). Mathematical teaching strategies: Pathways to critical thinking and metacognition. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 2(1), 190–200. https://doi.org/10.21890/ijres.5
Acharya, K. P. (2017). Exploring critical thinking for secondary level students in Chemistry: from insight to practice. Journal of Advanced College of Engineering and Management, 3, 31–39. https://doi.org/10.3126/jacem.v3i0.18812
Aini, N. R., Syafril, S., Netriwati, N., Pahrudin, A., Rahayu, T., & Puspasari, V. (2019). Problem-based learning for critical thinking skills in Mathematics. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1155(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1155/1/012026
Aldegether, R. (2009). Teacher educators’ opinions and knowledge about critical thinking and the methods they use to encourage critical thinking skills in five female teacher colleges in Saudi Arabia. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Kansas, USA.
Arbuckle, J. L. (2016). IBM SPSS AMOS 24 User’s Guide. Chicago, IL: Amos Development Corporation.
As’ari, A. R., Mahmudi, A., & Nuerlaelah, E. (2017). Our prospective Mathematics teachers are not critical thinkers yet. Journal on Mathematics Education, 8(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.8.2.3961.145-156
Awang, Z., Hui, L. S., & Zainuddin, N. F. S. (2018). Pendekatan Mudah SEM: Structural Equation Modelling. Bandar Baru Bangi: MPWS Rich Resources Sdn Bhd.
Barak, M., & Shakhman, L. (2008). Reform-based science teaching: teachers’ instructional practices and conceptions. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 4(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/75301
Behar-Horenstein, L. S., & Niu, L. (2011). Teaching critical thinking skills in higher education: a review of the literature. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 8(2), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v8i2.3554
Birgili, B. (2015). Creative and critical thinking skills in problem-based learning environments. Journal of Gifted Education and Creativity, 2(2), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.18200/JGEDC.2015214253
Cansoy, R., Parlar, H., & Polatcan, M. (2018). Teacher candidates’ critical thinking tendencies research in Turkey: A content analysis. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 6(9), 1974–1980. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2018.060916
Changwong, K., Sukkamart, A., & Sisan, B. (2018). Critical thinking skill development: Analysis of a new learning management model for Thai high schools. Journal of International Studies, 11(2), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2018/11-2/3
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Curriculum Development Centre. (1989). Rancangan Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Menengah. Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
Curriculum Development Centre. (1993). Kemahiran berfikir: Konsep, model dan strategi pengajaran-pembelajaran. Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
Dancey, C., & Reidy, J. (2011). Statistics without maths for psychology (5th ed.). Rotolito Lombarda, Italy: Prentice Hall.
Danielson, C. (2007). Enhancing professional practice: A framework for teaching. Alexandria, VA: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.
DeBono, E. (1985). DeBono’s thinking course. New York, NY: Facts on File Publications.
Dehghayedi, M., & Bagheri, M. S. (2018). EFL teachers’ learning and teaching beliefs: does critical thinking make a difference? International Journal of Instruction, 11(4), 223–240. https://doi.org/10.12973/iji.2018.11415a
Duran, M., & Dokme, I. (2016). The effect of the inquiry-based learning approach on student’s critical thinking skills. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 12(12), 2887–2908. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.02311a
Ennis, R. H. (2016). Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum: A Vision. Topoi, 37(1), 165–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11245-016-9401-4
Erdem, A. R., & Adiguzel, D. C. (2019). The opinions of primary school teachers on their creative thinking skills. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 19(80), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2019.80.2
Erdogan, F. (2020). The relationship between prospective middle school mathematics teachers’ critical thinking skills and reflective thinking skills. Participatory Educational Research, 7(1), 220–241. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.20.13.7.1
Facione, P. A. (2006). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Carlifornia, CA: Carlifornia Academic Press.
Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. In Insight assessment (pp. 1–28). Hermosa Beach, CA: Measured Reasons LLC. Retrieved from https://www.insightassessment.com/CT-Resources/Teaching-For-and-About-Critical-Thinking/Critical-Thinking-What-It-Is-and-Why-It-Counts/Critical-Thinking-What-It-Is-and-Why-It-Counts-PDF
Firdaus, Kailani, I., Bakar, M. N., & Bakry. (2015). Developing Critical Thinking Skills of Students in Mathematics Learning. Journal of Education and Learning, 9(3), 226–236.
Ganapathy, M., & Kaur, S. (2014). ESL students’ perceptions of the use of higher order thinking skills in English Language writing. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 5(5), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.5n.5p.80
Hair, J. J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2014). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Essex: Pearson Education Limited.
Hollins, E. R. (2011). Teacher Preparation For Quality Teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 62(4), 395–407. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487111409415
Ismail, S. N., Muhammad, S., Kanesan, A. G., & Ali, R. M. (2019). The influence of teachers’ perception and readiness towards the implementation of critical thinking skills (CTS) practice in Mathematics. International Journal of Instruction, 12(2), 337–352. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12222a
Janssen, E. M., Mainhard, T., Buisman, R. S. M., Verkoeijen, P. P. J. L., Heijltjes, A. E. G., van Peppen, L. M., & van Gog, T. (2019). Training higher education teachers’ critical thinking and attitudes towards teaching it. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 58(March), 310–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.03.007
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2012). Program i-Think: membudayakan kemahiran berfikir. Putrajaya, KPM.
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2013). Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia 2013 – 2015. Putrajaya: KPM.
Kozikoglu, I. (2019). Investigating critical thinking in prospective teachers: Metacognitive skills, problem solving skills and academic self-efficacy. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 10(2), 111–130.
Krejcie, R. V, & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 38(1), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Kusaeri, K., & Aditomo, A. (2019). Pedagogical beliefs about critical thinking among Indonesian Mathematics pre-service teachers. International Journal of Instruction, 12(1), 573–590. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12137a
Mahanal, S., Zubaidah, S., Sumiati, I. D., Sari, T. M., & Ismirawati, N. (2019). RICOSRE: A learning model to develop critical thinking skills for students with different academic abilities. International Journal of Instruction, 12(2), 417–434. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12227a
Maryuningsih, Y., Hidayat, T., Riandi, R., & Rustaman, N. Y. (2019). Critical thinking skills of prospective biology teacher on the chromosomal basic of inheritance learning through online discussion forums. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1157(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1157/2/022090
Munawaroh, H., Sudiyanto, & Riyadi. (2018). Teachers’ perceptions of innovative learning model toward critical thinking ability. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(3), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.3.153
Nagappan, R. (2001). The teaching of higher-order thinking skills in Malaysia. Journal of Southeast Asian Education, 2(1), 1–21.
Nisbet, R. I., & Collins, J. (1978). Barriers and Resistance to Innovation. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 3(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.1978v3n1.1
Nunnally, J. C. (1994). Psychimetric theory (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Tata McGraw-hill education.
Omar, M. N., Ismail, S. N., & Kasim, A. L. (2019). Hubungan kepimpinan teknologi pengetua dan efikasi kendiri guru. Jurnal Kepimpinan Pendidikan, 6(4), 1–21.
Pallant, J. (2011). SPSS survival manual (4th ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2005). The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and tools. Dillion Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Plotnikova, N. F., & Strukov, E. N. (2019). Integration of teamwork and critical thinking skills in the process of teaching students. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 14(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v14i1.4031
Putri, A., Roza, Y., & Maimunah. (2020). Development of learning tools with the discovery learning model to improve the critical thinking ability of Mathematics. Journal of Educational Sciences, 4(1), 83–92. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31258/jes.4.1.p.83-92
Rini, D. S., Adisyahputra, & Sigit, D. V. (2020). Boosting student critical thinking ability through project based learning, motivation and visual, auditory, kinesthetic learning style: A study on Ecosystem topic. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4A), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.081806
Shiau, W.-L., Sarstedt, M., & Hair, J. F. (2019). Internet research using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Internet Research, 29(3), 398–406. https://doi.org/10.1108/IntR-10-2018-0447
Shim, W.-J., & Walczak, K. (2012). The impact of faculty teaching practices on the development of students’ critical thinking skills. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 24(1), 16–30. Retrieved from http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/
Snyder, L. G., & Snyder, M. J. (2008). Teaching critical thinking and problem solving skills. The Delta Pi Episilon Journal, 50(2), 90–99.
Su, H. F. H. “Angie,†Ricci, F. A., & Mnatsakanian, M. (2015). Mathematical teaching strategies: Pathways to critical thinking and metacognition. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 2(1), 190–200. https://doi.org/10.21890/ijres.5
Additional Files
Published
31-01-2022
How to Cite
Ismail, S. N., Muhammad, . S. . ., Omar , . M. N. ., & Shanmugam , . K. S. . (2022). THE PRACTICE OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS: TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION AND READINESS . Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 19(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2022.19.1.1
Issue
Section
Articles
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
