THE EFFECT OF IMPLEMENTING PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING (PBL) INTEGRATED WITH RIAU LOCAL WISDOM ON STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING AND COLLABORATION SKILLS IN SOCIAL STUDIES LEARNING FOR GRADE IX STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 1 BAGAN SINEMBAH

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of implementing the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model integrated with Riau local wisdom on students’ critical thinking and collaboration skills in Social Studies learning for Grade IX at SMP Negeri 1 Bagan Sinembah. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a Non-Equivalent Control Group Design, involving one experimental class receiving PBL integrated with Riau local wisdom and one control class that did not receive the PBL treatment based on local wisdom. The instruments consisted of a critical thinking test, a collaboration observation sheet, and supporting questionnaires. Data were analyzed using normality tests, homogeneity tests, Paired Samples t-test, Independent Samples t-test, and effect size calculations. The results indicate that PBL integrated with Riau local wisdom significantly influenced students’ critical thinking skills. The experimental class showed an increase in mean critical thinking scores from 34.75 (pre-test) to 44.69 (post-test), with a gain of 9.94 points (Sig. = 0.000), while the control class showed a much smaller improvement from 35.41 to 38.13, with a gain of 2.72 points (Sig. = 0.001). The effect size calculation for critical thinking produced a Cohen’s d value of 0.159533 (small effect), yet still indicated a positive contribution of PBL to students’ critical thinking development. Although the Independent Samples t-test for critical thinking post-test scores showed Sig. > 0.05, the questionnaire analysis revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (Sig. = 0.000), suggesting that critical thinking processes developed more optimally through PBL integrated with local wisdom. Regarding collaboration skills, the control class increased from 37.38 to 40.22 (gain = 2.84; Sig. = 0.002), while the experimental class showed a much larger increase from 34.94 to 44.72 (gain = 9.78; Sig. = 0.000). The Independent Samples t-test for collaboration also indicated a significant difference between groups (Sig. = 0.000), and the effect size calculation resulted in a Cohen’s d value of 0.1088 (small effect) but still demonstrated the positive contribution of PBL to collaboration skills. Overall, the study concludes that PBL integrated with Riau local wisdom is effective in enhancing students’ critical thinking and collaboration skills. The integration of local cultural values such as Bebaso, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), and deliberation (musyawarah) provides authentic learning contexts, increases learning relevance, and strengthens 21st-century skills. This study recommends the implementation of PBL based on local wisdom as a meaningful, contextual, and high-level-thinking-oriented learning strategy.