Math teacher questions can help students around coffee plantations to behave critical thinking

Abstract

The questions asked by the teacher affect students' thinking processes. So, it is necessary to do research that aims to describe what types of questions can provoke students to behave critically. The research subjects were 40 junior high school students around a coffee plantation in Jember, Indonesia. The data collection methods in this study were (1) test, (2) observation, and (3) interview. Each test was given two questions that meet the criteria for critical thinking behavior with the theme of coffee. The test is given at the end of mathematics lessons every Monday. Observations focused on three critical thinking behaviors, namely truth-seeking, open-mindedness, and inquisitiveness. Interviews were conducted at the end of the activity, namely after five learning meetings. There are two findings in this research. First, junior high school students around coffee plantations are accustomed to truth-seeking, open-mindedness, and inquisitiveness in responding to questions from teachers. The habit of students in responding to teacher questions begins at the third meeting in learning. Second, there are three types of questions that can provoke students to behave critically. The three types of questions are questions that require students to construct concepts, principles, and procedures.