The use of innovative project-based learning to elevate pre-service teachers’ critical and creative thinking skills

Abstract

This study aims to develop an innovative project-based learning (PBL) that fits the purpose of fostering critical and creative thinking skills (CCTS). The innovations were made to the PBL’s syntax and referred to as RAHMA which stood for (1) Recognize the problem. (2) Analyze the problem. (3) Handle a project. (4) Monitor the progress. (5) Assess the result. Attempts were made to make the model valid and practical, capable of improving pre-service biology teachers’ (PSBTs’) CCTS and fitting the purpose of a pedagogical course. This study used Plomp’s research and development model which consisted of three stages: preliminary research, prototyping phase, and assessment phase. The results indicated that the PBL with RAHMA syntax was highly valid and practical. Furthermore, the instruments used to measure the CCTS were also highly valid. In conclusion, PBL with RAHMA syntax and its supporting tools are valid to enhance PSBTs’ CCTS. The implication highlights the necessity of using this learning model in the pedagogical courses that focus on designing products in teamwork. © 2025 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Critical thinking Project-Based Learning creative thinking learning model Pedagogical course Pre-service biology teachers RAHMA syntax

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Department of Biology, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Department of Biology, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia

Faculty of Education, Universitas Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia

Funding & Acknowledgements

Universitas Negeri Padang, UNP

Grant: 1302/UN35.145/LT/2023

Funding: This research is supported by the Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia (Grant number: 1302/UN35.145/LT/2023). Institutional Review Board Statement: The Ethical Committee of the Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia has granted approval for this study (Ref. No. 25.02/KEPKH-UNP/V/2024). Transparency: The authors state that the manuscript is honest, truthful, and transparent, that no key aspects of the investigation have been omitted, and that any differences from the study as planned have been clarified. This study followed all writing ethics. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors\u2019 Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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The use of innovative project-based learning to elevate pre-service teachers’ critical and creative thinking skills

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