Improving Higher Order Thinking Skills and Students' Learning Interest through Problem-Based Learning Model on Literacy

This research aimed to increase students' higher order thinking skills and students' learning interest in the subject material of Interaction among ASEAN countries in class 8.6 of SMP Negeri 3 Surakarta through problem-based learning model on literacy. This research applied a classroom action research approach through an assessment process with several cycles. The subjects of this research were students of grade 8.6 of SMP Negeri 3 Surakarta. The data were taken through instruments of observation, tests, questionnaires and documentation. The analysis of data used in this research included data presentation, triangulation, validity testing, reliability testing, and conclusion drawing. Based on the analysis of the research results, it can be concluded that the application of problem-based learning model on literacy was able to increase the higher order thinking skills of students and students' learning interest in the subject material of Interaction among ASEAN countries in class 8.6 of SMP Negeri 3 Surakarta. In the pre-action activity, there were only 3 students who were able to reach the Minimum Completeness Criteria (9%), while 29 students were not able to complete (91%) and the score of higher order thinking skills obtained was 54.101. But, after the action was taken by applying the problem-based learning model on literacy in the first cycle, students who has been completed has increased to 8 people (25%) and those who were not able to complete was 24 people (75%), the higher order thinking skills average score increased to 68.94. Then, in cycle II students who have completed were 19 people (59%) and those who were not able to complete included 13 people (41%), higher order thinking skills average score increased again to 77.78. Furthermore, in cycle III students who have completed the third cycle were 29 people (91%) and those who have not completed were 3 people (9%) higher order thinking skills average score increased again to 87.74. The result of students' learning interest indicated in pre-action activities was 39.97%, in the first cycle was 59.46%, in the second cycle was 78.325%, while the result of learning interest in the third cycle was 86.235%.