ABSTRACT
Armawati Hidayati. The Effect of Map-Assisted Problem Based Learning (PBL)
Model with Interdisciplinary Approach and Cognitive Style on Spatial Ability
and Critical Thinking of Grade VIII Students in Social Sciences (IPS) Subject
at SMP Plus Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro. Dissertation, Educational Technology Study
Program, Postgraduate Program, Surabaya State University. 2025.
Learning Social Studies (IPS) at the Junior High School (SMP) level
requires the implementation of an interdisciplinary approach, which integrates
various fields of social science with Geography as the basis of study
(platform). However, IPS learning at SMP Plus Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro is still
dominated by the Direct Instruction (DI) model and a monodisciplinary approach,
without utilizing maps as the main medium for visualizing spatial phenomena.
This condition correlates with low spatial abilities and critical thinking
skills of students. In addition, individual characteristics factors, such as
cognitive styles (Field Dependent/FD and Field Independent/FI), are often
ignored even though these factors are crucial for learning success. Therefore,
an innovative, map-assisted, and approach-based Problem Based Learning (PBL)
learning model intervention is needed.
This study aims to analyze and empirically test: 1) the effect of the
map-assisted PBL Model with an interdisciplinary approach on spatial and
critical thinking abilities; 2) the effect of cognitive styles (FD and FI) on
both abilities; and 3) the interaction between the map-assisted PBL Model with
an interdisciplinary approach and cognitive styles on students' spatial and
critical thinking abilities. This study used a quantitative quasi-experimental
design with a 2 x 2 factorial design. The study population was all eighth-grade
students of SMP Plus Al-Fatimah Bojonegoro. The sample was divided into an
experimental group (Map-Assisted PBL Model with an Interdisciplinary Approach) of
62 students and a control group (Conventional Model) of 60 students. The
instruments used included a spatial ability test, a critical thinking test, and
a Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) for cognitive styles. Data were analyzed
using a Two-Way MANOVA at a significance level of 0,05.
Based on the statistical analysis
of Two-Way MANOVA, the findings are as follows. 1). There is a significant
influence of the map-assisted PBL Model with an interdisciplinary approach on
improving spatial abilities; 2) There is a
significant influence of the map-assisted PBL Model with an interdisciplinary
approach on critical thinking abilities; 3) There
is a significant influence of cognitive style on spatial abilities; 4) There is no significant influence of cognitive style on
critical thinking abilities; 5) There is a
significant interaction between the Learning Model and Cognitive Style on
spatial abilities; 6) There is no significant
interaction between the Learning Model and Cognitive Style on critical thinking
abilities. This interaction indicates that the
map-assisted PBL model with an interdisciplinary approach is more effective in
improving the abilities of students with a Field Dependent (FD) cognitive
style, because their average achievement in the PBL group showed the most
drastic increase compared to the conventional group.
Keywords: Problem Based Learning (PBL), maps,
interdisciplinary approach, cognitive style, spatial ability, critical
thinking, Social Sciences (IPS).